Kurt Krause Named Virginia Tech Vice President For Business Affairs -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Executive and Former Marriott Executive

Kurt J. Krause of Clifton has been named vice president for business affairs at Virginia Tech. In making the announcement, Minnis Ridenour, chief operating officer of Virginia Tech, said, "We are very pleased to hire an executive with broad-based knowledge like Kurt. He has extensive management and operations experience in complex organizations."

At Virginia Tech, Krause will be responsible for providing leadership and management to all planning, construction and operations of facilities, university architect, police, real estate, and environmental health and safety services. He will also oversee university personnel services.

Krause is currently executive director of the office of consumer advocacy and initiatives for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He replaces Raymond D. Smoot, who earlier this year became chief operating officer for the Virginia Tech Foundation (VTF) and assumed responsibility for all VTF operations. Smoot remains university treasurer for Virginia Tech.

Says Krause of his appointment, "As a very proud alumnus and service champion, I can imagine no other opportunity, which lends itself to a challenging work experience, attractive living environment,collegial atmosphere and genuine community. I look forward to this opportunity supporting the teaching, research and outreach missions as well as the business affairs of the university."

During his more than 20 year tenure in the Marriott organization, Krause held many marketing and operations positions. In the late 1990s, he was general manager for the Westfields Marriott, a luxury resort conference center in Chantilly. In his last position at Marriott International, he was vice president of brand strategy for Renaissance Hotels.

At the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Krause helped implement the agency's assimilation of airport security and screening resulting from the post-Sept. 11 organizational changes in the federal government.

Krause received a bachelor's degree in marketing management from Virginia Tech in 1980 and advanced studies in hospitality and tourism management through Virginia Tech's Northern Virginia Center. He currently serves as the chair of the Virginia Tech Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management Advisory Board.

Krause will begin work by Nov. 1.