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NSU Rector Named Virginia’s Outstanding Industrialist 2006

Norfolk, Va.—Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine and Science Museum of Virginia Director have named Jack L. Ezzell, Jr., rector of the Norfolk State University Board of Visitors, as one of the Commonwealth’s Outstanding Scientists and Industrialists 2006. The announcement was made on February 28.  Ezzell and scientist honorees will be introduced to the General Assembly on March 2 and will receive their awards during a banquet at the Science Museum Tuesday, April 4.

Ezzell was named Virginia’s Outstanding Industrialist 2006 for his work as CEO of Zel Technologies LLC (ZelTech). ZelTech is one of the nation’s fastest growing technology firms. Formed in 1988, the company has grown from a small consulting firm into a multi-faceted corporation offering services in technical support, strategic planning, international business development, complex software design and systems integration and engineering. Headquartered in Hampton, Va., ZelTech has responsibilities that range from supporting current military operations around the globe to a leadership role in developing security upgrades for the Virginia Port Authority. The company has been tapped by the Department of Defense as the primary U.S. subcontractor on a team that will upgrade the air defense system of the United States and Canada by playing a major role in building the Air Force command and control system for the 21^st Century. ZelTech has operations in California, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Northern Virginia, Nebraska, Massachusetts and the Republic of Korea. The company describes itself as “providing customers with knowledge, tools and solutions needed for correct and timely decisions and effective actions to help ensure U.S. national security.”

Ezzell wholeheartedly believes that the private sector should give back to the community. To this end, he has established an innovative technology laboratory geared toward children called KidTech. KidTech provides free computer access and information technology for children in kindergarten through 5^th grade and to senior citizens. More than 3500 individuals have been served since the program’s inception. KidTech has also been incorporated as an independent non-profit corporation. The KidTech model has been replicated by the Hampton Roads Partnership providing greater community access to technology and decreasing the digital divide.

A member of the NSU BOV since 2001 Ezzell, who is one of four 2006 Outstanding Scientists and Industrialists, was reappointed to the NSU Board of Visitors in July 2005. His term ends June 30, 2009. He is currently serving his second term as rector of the board.

Ezzell is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and is active in several Virginia civic, business, and community organizations including the Hampton Industrial Development Authority, the Hampton Roads Partnership, Jamestown/Yorktown Foundation and the Urban League. Additionally, he served on Governor Mark Warner’s transition team, is a member of the Commonwealth’s Chief Information Officer Advisory Board and serves on the Governor’s special commission for the minority business utilization.

Ezzell has received numerous awards including the National Technical Association’s prestigious Technical Achievement Award in the small business category, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Small Business Person of the Year, the KPMG Peat Marwick and Hampton Roads High Tech Entrepreneur Award and the Old Dominion University Distinguished Entrepreneurial Award. In 2005, Ezzell received a humanitarian award from the Virginia Region-Peninsula Chapter of the National Conference for Community and Justice for his dedication and personal commitment to the promotion of respect and understanding among people of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.

He is a sought after speaker by civic, educational, and professional groups where he is recognized as one of the nation’s leaders in addressing the growing information gap among citizens. Ezzell also invests a great amount of personal time and energy mentoring small, minority, and women-owned businesses. He is married to the former Linda Carol Horton and they have two adult children.

For more information, contact the Office of News and Media Relations at 823-8373.