Tephracor Appoints Dr. Barbara MacLennan as Director of Innovation & Sustainability, Bringing Expertise in Geospatial Science and Environmental Policy
Tephracor is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Barbara MacLennan as the new Director of Innovation & Sustainability. Dr. MacLennan brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished career in geospatial science, sustainability, and innovation to her new role.
Dr. MacLennan’s career has been marked by various opportunities and achievements. Growing up on a farm in New Jersey, she developed a strong foundation in environmental and agricultural issues. During her university years, she prepared international students and professionals for careers in business, journalism, science, and technology, including implementing a state-wide International Recycling Ambassador program.
Her career began in competitive intelligence under the mentorship of futurist Steven Shaker, creator of the WarRoom Guide to Competitive Intelligence. This experience led her to the world of innovation, where she consulted for the National Technology Transfer Center, Carnegie Mellon Entrepreneurship Center, University of Pittsburgh Entrepreneurship Center, and West Virginia High Tech Consortium, among others. Her contributions in this field were recognized with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) WV Small Business Development Center Research Advocate award, and she was an invited speaker for the DOE - WV Industries of the Future.
Dr. MacLennan’s applied research has engaged numerous national agencies, including USDA, DARPA, NASA, NEH, and NIH. Her transition to sustainability saw her groundbreaking research advance the understanding of regional, national, and international sustainability efforts. This work earned her the Roy F. Weston Award for her contributions to the solid waste profession.
As a Geospatial Professional, Dr. MacLennan has served as Board President of the West Virginia Association of Geospatial Professionals and West Virginia Women Work and on the executive board of the WV Council for International Programs. She is part of the sustainability team for the First2 network, which promotes first-generation education funded by NSF, and serves on the WV GIS Steering Committee. Additionally, she has been a reviewer for The Geography Teacher and The Solid Waste Technology & Management Journal.
Dr. MacLennan co-hosts the internationally award-winning geography and geospatial technologies podcast VerySpatial.com, for which she received the AAG Media Achievement Award. She also serves on the geography faculty at Fairmont State University, where she has played a vital role in establishing a state-of-the-art GIS lab and growing a cross-disciplinary geospatial science program.
Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Geography with an emphasis on Geographic Information Science and a Master’s in Public Policy from West Virginia University. She also holds a Master’s of Journalism degree from the Reed College of Media at West Virginia University.
Dr. MacLennan’s extensive work includes numerous peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and contributions to influential journal articles, books, and geospatial science and environmental policy presentations. Her appointment as Director of Innovation & Sustainability at Tephracor is a significant step forward for the company, bringing in a leader with a proven track record of fostering innovation and advancing sustainability.
Tephracor is confident that Dr. MacLennan’s expertise and vision will drive the company’s mission to provide sustainable agricultural solutions through innovative practices.