Gary McMurray Named Chief
of GTRI’s Food Processing Technology Division

Gary McMurray has been named chief of the Georgia Tech Research Institute’s (GTRI) Food Processing Technology Division (FPTD). McMurray assumed the leadership post on April 1 following the retirement of Craig Wyvill. McMurray has been with the division for 19 years, most recently serving as head of the robotics and automation systems research program. He brings a wealth of knowledge in food processing technology system development and is committed to further strengthening the division’s research programs and university and industrial collaborations.

“I feel honored to have been selected to replace Craig as chief of FPTD. Craig has done an incredible job in leading a small team of engineers and transforming them into a world-class research group that is nationally and internationally recognized for its work in food processing. We are all deeply indebted to him for his leadership and vision over the years,” says McMurray.

McMurray says Wyvill’s dedication and commitment to the poultry and food industries will be missed, but he has certainly left a solid foundation of excellence on which new leadership can build upon. “We look forward to building on the strong program that Craig has built at GTRI with the Georgia Poultry Federation, the poultry industry at large, and Georgia’s food processing industry over the years. The cornerstone of this program has been the strong relationship between GTRI and its industrial partners and that will
not change.”

As part of his role as chief of FPTD, McMurray will oversee the Agricultural Technology Research Program’s (ATRP) strategic relations and vision, technology transfer and technical assistance programs, and outreach activities. McMurray has tapped Doug Britton to be the new ATRP program manager. Britton has been with the division for 8 years and currently heads its sensor and information technology systems and worker safety technologies research programs.

“The Agricultural Technology Research Program will continue a 35-year tradition of working closely with the poultry and allied industries in Georgia to bring innovative technological solutions to key industry issues. It is our goal to support these industry sectors through technological leadership, research, and service, and we look forward to discovering new and effective ways to fulfill this mission,” says Britton.