Names and changes: Business recognitions and promotions for the week of Dec. 29, 2024

Virginia Tech has announced that Brenda Walker has been named strategic volunteer initiatives executive director.

The inaugural position within the Advancement Division is intended to strengthen the work of volunteers and focus on aligning alumni advisory boards across the university.

Walker brings 27 years of experience from Penn State, where she advanced from assistant director in the Office of Donor Relations and Special Events through multiple roles, eventually becoming the first director of the Office of Volunteer Programs.

Her work at Penn State included managing high-level volunteer committees and creating valuable resources such as volunteer-focused websites, best practice manuals, newsletters, and virtual education sessions highlighting philanthropic priorities. Walker also oversaw the annual corporate, foundation, fundraising volunteer, and philanthropist of the year awards programs.

Melinda West, associate vice president for finance and university controller at Virginia Tech, will retire after the close of the fiscal year.

West joined Tech in 1996 as manager of general accounts receivable and loans and collections in the bursar’s office. She has held key positions including senior internal auditor and assistant to the vice president for finance.

A certified public accountant, West holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Radford University and a Master of Business Administration from Averett University. Before joining Tech, she served as an auditor with the Commonwealth of Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts.

Tech will launch a national search for an associate vice president for finance and university controller.