Session 3-Farming & USDA Funding

Name: Jeffrey Webb
Entity: Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
Title: Chief Information Officer
Topic: Farming Issues

Under Jeff's leadership, the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) now boasts technology that includes 3 "state-of-the-art" computer labs, 12 high-speed videoconferencing systems, an "interactive classroom" for the SW VA Education and Training Network, the unique A. Linwood Holton Virtual Governor's School, and technology that supports distance education programs from VT, UVA, UVA-Wise, ODU, RU, E&H, VCU, GMU, VI, and others. He also oversees the Farm2Market and MerchantPoint web development projects. The Farm2Market project is specifically aimed at developing and promoting e-commerce applications for agriculture businesses, while MerchantPoint assists any interested businesses in the region.

Additionally, the Information Technology Department Jeff manages provides technology support for over 1500 events annually, including seminars, conferences, and trade shows. During construction of the new, 90,000 square foot facility, Jeff was involved in planning and design of the computer network infrastructure and equipment procurement. As the project neared completion, he became primarily responsible for installation and configuration of the entire network, including the fiber-optic backbone and cable plant, PBX system, LAN devices, workstations, peripherals, software applications, and Audio-Visual systems. Prior to his work with SVHEC, Jeff served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force 1983 to 1993.