1985
1990
1989 Commissioned
as an officer in the
U.S. Army Reserve
“I’m incredibly proud that I was
able to bring these activities to
West Virginia because it proves
we can tackle even the most
advanced technology challenges.”
1993 Received a master’s
degree in computer
science from WVU
1995
2000
2000 Named president
and CEO of the WV
High Technology
Consortium Foundation
2001 Began planning
and development of the
I-79 Technology Park
2005
2010
2008 Led the effort to
recruit FBI operations
to the tech park
2009 Led the effort to
bring the Biometric
Identity Management
Agency to the tech park
2012 Led the effort to bring
NOAA’s GOES-R ground
station to the tech park
2015
2015 Led the effort to recruit
NOAA’s Security Operations
Center to the tech park
Over the past seven years, Estep has
won contracts to build the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration’s
(NOAA) Environmental Security Com-
puting Center and two satellite ground
stations for NOAA programs, and he
recruited NOAA’s Security Operations
Center to the I-79 Technology Park.
“I’m incredibly proud that I was able to
bring these activities to West Virginia be-
cause it proves we can tackle even the most
advanced technology challenges,” he says.
“It also establishes a strong base for what
I hope will be future growth in technology
areas, such as high performance comput-
ing, satellite operations and cybersecurity.”
While his tech savvy has been a great
asset to his career and the state, Estep has
also used his work ethic and leadership
skills to serve his country. After gradu-
ating from the West Virginia Institute of
Technology and West Virginia University
(WVU) with degrees in computer science,
Estep served in the U.S. Army Reserve
while also holding down a full-time career
as a software engineer with Unisys Corpo-
ration. This dedication to hard work and
the well-being of others has only grown
as Estep continues to serve the people of
his home state.
“I was born, raised and educated in West
Virginia—it’s in my blood,” he says. “For
this reason, I made the decision long ago to
stay here and try to make it a better place.”
This commitment fuels Estep’s commu-
nity involvement, including the leadership
roles he chooses. He currently serves as
chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace
Complex and a board member for the
NASA West Virginia Space Grant Con-
sortium and West Virginia Roundtable.
He has also served as a board member
for the Mid-Atlantic Technology, Research
and Innovation Center; Glenville State Col-
lege and Fairmont State University boards
of governors; the advisory and enterprise
committees for the WVU College of En-
gineering and Mineral Resources; and as
chairman for the West Virginia Chamber
of Commerce’s technology committee.
Estep regularly contributes to the United
Way, American Cancer Society, WVU
Medicine Children’s, WVU Creative Arts
Center, the Positive Experience Youth
Football Camp and the Muscular Dys-
trophy Association Lock-Up.
“Generally, I prefer to support causes
that help kids,” he says. “In particular,
I support causes that teach kids respon-
sibility and teamwork and provide kids
with a science, technology, engineering
and math orientation. Ultimately, I give
because I want our community, region
and state to be better.”
Estep attributes his success and his out-
look to those who have mentored him
along the way.
“I have been very fortunate to have good
people in my life who helped mold my per-
spective on what is really important,” he
says. “I recently turned 50, and reaching
that milestone makes everyone take a step
back and look at their lives. I believe most
wonder if their life has meant something.
For me, the mentors I’ve been so lucky to
have over the years helped me pursue a
career and live a life I believe is and will
continue to be meaningful.”
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