Adkins holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in physics from Rollins College, Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Adkins was previously senior vice president of Systems and Technology Group, a position he held since 2009. In this role he was responsible for all aspects of IBM’s semiconductor, server, storage, and system software businesses, as well as the company’s Integrated Supply Chain and Global Business Partners organizations. Previously he was senior vice president of STG development and manufacturing, a position he held since 2007. In his over 30-year career with IBM, Mr. Adkins has held a number of development and management roles, including general manager positions for the PC Company, UNIX Systems and Pervasive Computing.
Inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2005, Adkins is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council, and the National Society of Black Engineers, which in 2001 awarded him the Golden Torch Award for Lifetime Achievement in Industry. In 2011, Black Enterprise magazine chose Adkins as its Corporate Executive of the Year, and in 2002, Fortune magazine named Adkins one of the 50 Most Powerful Black Executives in America.
He serves on the board of directors for United Parcel Service (UPS), the national board of the Smithsonian Institution and the board of directors for the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering. Adkins also serves on the Georgia Tech Foundation, Rollins College Board of Trustees, University of Maryland Baltimore County Board of Visitors, and the University of Miami College of Engineering Visiting Committee.
Approximately 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students from Georgia Tech’s six colleges and 29 schools participated in the Institute’s 246th commencement.
