Vice President of MATE Candidate - David A. Golden

David A. Golden is CEO of the ETSU Research Corporation and holds the Allen & Ruth Harris Chair of Excellence in the College of Business & Technology at East Tennessee State University, where he also serves as a Professor of Practice. He leads innovation-focused initiatives across synthetic biology, entrepreneurship, and regional economic development. In 2019, David retired as Senior Vice President, Chief Legal & Sustainability Officer, and Corporate Secretary of Eastman Chemical Company, a global Fortune 500 materials innovation company. At Eastman, he oversaw Legal, HSES, Sustainability, Government Affairs, Communications, Regulatory Affairs, Trade Compliance, and related functions across five continents. He previously practiced environmental law with the international law firm of Hunton & Williams (now Hunton Andrews Kurth). 

David holds a B.S. in Accounting and a Juris Doctorate from Brigham Young University and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. He currently serves as Vice President of MATE within the Marine Technology Society and sits on the governance boards of the BioBuilder Foundation, the Niswonger Foundation, Music for All, STREAMWORKS, and SCORE (the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education). He also serves on the advisory board of the University of Tennessee Baker School of Public Policy and as a Commissioner of the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. His board work reflects a commitment to education, innovation, public service, and the development of a skilled, inclusive workforce.

Indicate one or two key goals that you hope to accomplish in this position over the next 3 years:
Over the next three years, I hope to build on the momentum we've established within MATE to support both the continued revitalization of our programs and MTS's broader growth strategy. Having served as Chair of the MATE Board prior to the merger and as Vice President during its integration into MTS, I've seen firsthand the importance of stabilizing core operations while laying a strong foundation for sustained impact. MATE continues to grow in key regions while also advancing the important work of post-COVID recovery. One goal is to elevate the visibility of the MATE ROV Competition platform as a powerful vehicle for engaging students in real-world problem-solving, collaboration, and project execution—skills that are increasingly vital across a wide range of professional pathways. 

A second priority is to expand and diversify MATE's sponsorship base by cultivating long-term partnerships with industry, academia, and philanthropy. These relationships will help ensure stable, scalable support for MATE's three pillars and further position the program as a strategic asset within the MTS ecosystem. 

Discuss the qualities and experience you possess that make you a strong candidate for the position for which you are running:
I bring a unique blend of executive leadership, education innovation, and sustained commitment to the marine technology workforce pipeline that makes me well-suited for a second term as Vice President of MATE. Over the past three decades, I have operated at the intersection of industry, academia, and public service. As CEO of the ETSU Research Corporation and Professor of Practice in the College of Business and Technology at East Tennessee State University, I've led efforts to expand hands-on STEM learning both globally and in our region. My prior executive role as Chief Legal & Sustainability Officer and Corporate Secretary with a multi-national Fortune 500 Company gave me deep experience in strategy, workforce development, and global partnership building. During that time, I also helped fund high-impact marine research and education programs at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, served as a member of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, and helped advance MATE's growth in the southeastern United States. As Chair of the MATE Board before its integration with MTS, and now as current VP of MATE, I have worked to elevate MATE's visibility globally, broaden its sponsorship base, and deepen engagement with alumni and mentors. I've also championed efforts to better connect the MATE ecosystem with regional hubs and underrepresented communities, ensuring that access to hands-on marine technology experiences is truly inclusive. In short, I offer a proven track record of leadership, innovation, and advocacy in support of MATE's three pillars—the ROV Competition, the ROV Academy, and the SeaMATE Store. I would be honored to continue to support Jill Zande and MTS in advancing MATE's mission and help strengthen the global pipeline of ocean professionals our world so urgently needs.