Ed White (Photo: submitted)

If you could repeat your years in the College of Engineering at NC State, would you change anything? Would you take the same courses, or shift your focus? Ed White (EO ’78) would focus on greater breadth of coursework, including more communication and humanities courses. “Engineering taught me to think logically and look for solutions,” he said, “but you can never get far from needing good communication skills.” White’s unique career path since his days at NC State has reflected this breadth of experience, and he has always sought to balance technological expertise with communication skills in his professional relationships.

After graduation White worked at Westinghouse for a number of years in a product development group, where he got involved designing software for metering equipment.

“I learned a lot working at a large company like Westinghouse, including both product manufacturing processes and the importance of communication skills in business,” he said. In 1980 White founded UTS, a two-man startup that grew over the next 16 years to a worldwide supplier for commercial electric and gas utility meters. Along the way White and his research engineers developed unique products that revolutionized utility metering systems, including software for remote meter reading.

“We were fortunate to produce a needed product that solved a problem for industry,” he said. “We found our marketing niche.”

In 1996 UTS merged with Itron, a company in Spokane, Washington, that focused on residential customers. Combining UTS’ commercial focus with Itron’s residential market strength created a $350 million company that serves 70 percent of residential and 70 percent of large power companies’ needs in the U.S.

“I wouldn’t have believed it if you had told me 25 years ago that I would be in the software business,” he said. “It worked out well for me and just goes to show that you never know what opportunities are going to come your way.”

White’s career has taken a new twist recently. After retiring from Itron in the late 1990s, he began looking for something outside of the technical world. He also wanted to come home to Raleigh after so many years of extensive business travel. He started White Ventures LLC, which is the development company directing Town Hall Commons in Morrisville, a $200 million project. According to White, Town Hall Commons will be a true mixed-use development, with commercial, residential and governmental agencies together in a community.

In addition, White has become more involved with his alma mater — he is a member of the NC State Engineering Foundation Board of Directors and a participant in Coalition 2000. White has become an invaluable leader, and his philanthropy follows his involvement. Last year he established a charitable remainder trust (CRT), a gift vehicle that provides the donor with income for life or a term of years and passes the remainder to charity. White wants the trust to support two important priorities: scholarships and professorships.

“I’d definitely recommend a CRT to others,” he said. “This is a way to do something that has a real impact for the College, and it’s a good element of a financial plan for the donor.”

White’s connection to NC State does not end there. His daughter, Jacklyn, is a junior majoring in communications.

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