Tom had served at the Tech Park since March 2010, directing the transition as the state took ownership of the property from The Dow Chemical Company. Tom battled cancer in his final months and continued working through his illness. He passed away in his sleep in the comfort of his Hurricane, W.Va. home.

Tom was universally respected and the Tech Park will be his lasting legacy.  At the December 9, 2011 meeting of the Higher Education Policy Commission, Chancellor Brian Noland presented Tom with a framed resolution honoring his service to the state (See below).

Tom is survived by his wife Nancy, and two grown children, Wade of Los Angeles, and Allison of Atlanta.

RESOLUTION In Honor of Thomas V. Reishman

WHEREAS, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, acting on behalf of the State of West Virginia, its citizens, students, researchers, industry representatives, educators, and others, join to salute Mr. Tom Reishman for his distinguished service to the State of West Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Reishman began serving as Transition Director for the West Virginia Regional Technology Park in South Charleston in March 2010, nine months prior to The Dow Chemical Company’s donation of the 258 acres of land and facilities in its Technical Center to the State of West Virginia and now serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Technology Park; and

WHEREAS, prior to joining the Technology Park, Mr. Reishman served as Deputy Commissioner of Energy and went on to a highly successful career in West Virginia business and industry; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Reishman has invested considerable personal time and effort to work with thousands of people from many different companies, government agencies, educational institutions, non-governmental entities and other organizations; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Reishman has negotiated highly complex financial, technical, legal and environmental issues relative to the transfer of the property, while treating others with the utmost respect and professionalism at all times; and

WHEREAS, due to Mr. Reishman’s exemplary service the West Virginia Regional Technology Park has made great strides in achieving its vision of becoming a diversified multi-tenant research, development, and commercialization park focused on energy, chemicals and related technologies for the advancement of education and economic development in West Virginia and the surrounding region; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission hereby expresses its great appreciation and sincere and lasting gratitude to Mr. Tom Reishman for exemplary service to the State of West Virginia.   Presented by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission on this ninth day of December, two thousand and eleven.

David Hendrickson
Chairman

Brian Noland
Chancellor