DANIEL GOERLICH

Dr. Dan Goerlich serves Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) as Associate Director for Economy, Community, and Food. In this role Dan contributes statewide programmatic leadership for Extension agents and specialists across three Virginia Tech colleges, 11 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers, and 107 Extension offices throughout the Commonwealth and in cooperation with Virginia State University. His responsibilities involve discerning and identifying critical issues, maintaining positive relationships with governmental, public, and private agencies, elected officials, and university departments, guiding the development of research-based educational programs that address Virginia's pressing needs, and providing leadership to VCE’s emergency preparedness efforts.

A 23-year veteran of VCE with experience at multiple levels in the organization, Dan earned his B.S. (1994) and Ph.D. (2017) from Virginia Tech and M.S. from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (1998). He has authored or co-authored over 80 publications, served on 10 boards of directors, has been recognized with 11 national level awards for programming excellence, and has served in local, regional, and national leadership roles for a variety of organizations. Dan is a 2014 graduate of the Va. Natural Resources Leadership Institute and 2019 graduate of LEAD21. Prior to joining VCE Dan worked for the USDA Forest Service and a private consulting forestry firm. Dan and his wife Joy have three children ages 17, 16 and 12. Some of Dan’s core beliefs include: helping others achieve their full potential by removing obstacles and providing resources; listening to understand; diversity of thought and perspective; high expectations; accountability, honesty, and personal responsibility; work ethic; partnerships and collaboration; open communication, and; putting the needs of others first.