As a first-generation college student, Brandon Greenley didn’t have footsteps to follow, so choosing Oregon State University was based on the quality of its engineering school. Still a Beaver fan, he also has a deeper connection to his alma mater in his role as Tektronix liaison to Oregon State.
The Tektronix Foundation has a rich history of supporting Oregon State’s students and programs, including supporting three student groups in 2014: CreateIt Collaboratory, SAE vehicle teams, and the Solar Car Team. Greenley mentors CreateIt Collaboratory student teams that are developing a prototype to advance current technology.
“It’s great to stay connected with college students. It makes me feel a bit younger. It seems like I graduated just four years ago,” he said with a laugh. In actuality, he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1999 and his master’s in 2001, both in electrical and computer engineering.
Greenley is a Portland native who showed an early passion for engineering by taking everything apart he could get his hands on. In high school he worked with his dad, who is a building contractor. Although he really enjoyed the work itself, the days of standing out in the Oregon rain convinced him that he would rather pursue a desk job.
In college, he wavered between mechanical and electrical engineering, but electrical won out because it was abstract and a new challenge for him. He was an involved student, serving as president for the Oregon State chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers and for Eta Kappa Nu, the electrical and computer engineering honor society.
He said that perhaps the most memorable moment in college was meeting his future wife as a freshman in calculus class.
Greenley is now a product development manager at Tektronix, which he said is an “outstanding role” because he has a broad view of the business, including sales and engineering, and the position involves managing both people and projects. He has led the development process for several new product introductions, including the world’s first mixed-domain oscilloscope.
He still pursues his interest in the mechanical side of engineering through his hobbies. He has built nearly all the furniture in his house including a crib for his children and a rocking chair to soothe them to sleep.
Last year, he helped build a house — a collaborative effort between his church and Habitat for Humanity. “I fully intend to make it every year I am able. It was a great experience,” he said of the five days in which they constructed the major components of the house including walls, windows, doors and roof.
Greenley travels to Corvallis several times a year for both business and pleasure, staying in touch with Oregon State students and taking in football, basketball and baseball games. On a recent visit, the College of Engineering recognized his achievements by giving him an Oregon Stater award, which appointed him to the Council of Outstanding Early Career Engineers.
“Oregon State is an essential provider of talent to sustain the future of our Northwest engineering companies,” Greenley said. “I believe that a strong connection between industry and the university is critical to the success of our engineering ecosystem. I’m privileged to be a part of that connection and continue to enjoy the many special qualities of Oregon State.”
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