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Dr. George H. Heilmeier is chairman emeritus of Telcordia Technologies (formerly Bell Communications Research, Inc.). He is also a member of the Defense Science Board and the National Security Agency Advisory Board. He serves on the board of trustees of Fidelity Investments and of Teletech Holdings, and is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering, Board of Overseers of the School of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of Pennsylvania, and a Life Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Dr. Heilmeier joined RCA Laboratories in 1958. He began a career of government service in 1970, when he was chosen as a White House Fellow, working on long-range research and development planning and technology assessment as a special assistant to the Secretary of Defense. In 1971 he was appointed assistant director of defense R&D in charge of all Department of Defense research in electronics, computer technology, and the physical sciences. In 1975 he won confirmation as director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where he initiated major efforts in space-based lasers and reconnaissance systems, infrared technology, stealth aircraft, and artificial intelligence. In 1978 he was appointed vice president of Corporate Research, Development, Engineering, and Strategic Planning at Texas Instruments. He became senior vice president and chief technical officer in 1983.
He has received numerous awards, including the Industrial Research Institute Medal for outstanding accomplishments in leadership of industrial research and the Eta Kappa Nu Vladimir Karapetoff Eminent Members' Award (1993). In 1992 he received the National Academy of Engineering Founders Award, the academy's highest honor. In 1991 he was awarded the National Medal of Science by President George H.W. Bush for contributions to national security and competitiveness. During his tenure with DARPA, he twice received the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Medal the highest civilian award given by the department, and one that is rarely given twice.
As a result of his work at RCA with electro-optic effects in liquid crystals, which led to the first liquid crystal displays for calculators, watches, and instrumentation, Dr. Heilmeier earned the prestigious David Sarnoff Award from the IEEE and the Eta Kappa Nu Award as one of the Outstanding Young Electrical Engineers in the United States. In 2005 he earned a prestigious Kyoto Prize in advanced technology from the Inamori Foundation for this work.
He has also received the prestigious Japan Communications and Computers Prize and two other major IEEE awards (the Founders Medal and the Philips Award).
Dr. Heilmeier has a doctorate and a master of science degree in solid state materials and electronics from Princeton University. He also holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He has received honorary doctorates from Stevens Institute of Technology and the Technion (Israel).
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