He has a B.A. degree from VPI&SU in English (1968). His Masters degree (1983) and doctoral studies are in the Environmental Design and Planning Program of the College ofArchitecture, combining his interest in the relationship of advanced communications network infrastructure to regional competitiveness. Since coming to Virginia Tech in 1977 from the U.S. Department of Defense, Mr. Blythe has served in a number of roles, including Associate Director of Computing, Vice President of Information Technology, and Principal Investigator for the development of the Virginia Education and Research Network. He provided executive leadership and was the primary advocate for the University's nationally recognized Electronic Villages Program and Scholarly Communications/Network-based Publishing Project. Mr. Blythe has presented numerous invited briefings and papers at the state and national level.
The focus of his research interest is on the technological and market structure obstacles to the emergence of regional and national advanced communications network infrastructure. In 1997, Mr. Blythe led the creation of a partnership among telecommunications providers and Virginia institutions of higher education for establishing a statewide broadband network to provide a high-bandwidth, advanced communications network throughout the Commonwealth known as NET.WORK.VIRGINIA. With over 600 participating sites, this project is considered to be a proof-of-concept model for one of the technology alternatives being utilized in the next generation internet.
In August 1997 Mr. Blythe played a major role in the opening of the Virginia Tech Math Emporium. Through the integration of information technology and course development by the Department of Mathematics the new learning center offers the opportunities for faculty and students to explore better ways to blend technology and personal interaction in their courses.
In early 1998, Mr. Blythe led Virginia Tech's initiative to acquire LMDS wireless spectrum, winning four license areas in the FCC's national auction. Virginia Tech is the first university ever to participate in a FCC spectrum auction and is currently developing deployment plans and test bed projects for advanced wireless communications projects.
Mr. Blythe currently serves with a number of collaborations focused on the planning and development of the next generation internet. He is a member of the Network Planning and Policy Advisory Council which advises University Corporation for Advanced Network Development Trustees on matters related to the planning, development, and management of advanced networks for research and education. He is also serving as that Council's representative on the Abilene [Internet2] Technical Advisory Committee.
Mr. Blythe reports to the Virginia Tech President, Dr. Charles W. Steger and is responsible for university policy development and strategic planning related to information technology and services. He also provides executive leadership to, and coordinates operations of: Administrative Information Systems; Computing Center; Communications Network Services; Learning Technologies; and Network Research and Planning. Mr. Blythe is responsible for a budget of approximately $40 million and approximately 500 full and part-time employees.