Charles E. Backus, Emeritus Professor of Electrical Engineering at Arizona State University and President of the ASU Research Park Board has had a highly significant career at ASU.  Dr. Backus served as the Provost and Chief Academic Officer of ASU’s polytechnic campus as well as an ASU Vice President, building the campus from its inception in 1996 and championing its development through dramatic physical and programmatic growth until his retirement in 2004.  Prior to leading the Polytechnic campus, Dr. Backus held administrative posts in ASU’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences serving as both Associate Dean for Research and Interim Dean. He was responsible for building ASU’s strength in solid state electronics, specifically, fine tuning solar cells to make them efficient.

Dr. Backus is a member of a number of local organizations focused on influencing the economic development of the East Valley including service as a former President of East Valley Partnership, Mesa Community Roundtable, Mesa United Way Board, Mesa and Gilbert Chambers of Commerce, as well as the Gilbert, Queen Creek and Apache Junction Economic Development Boards and the Arizona Town Hall Board. Dr. Backus is a former President of the Superstition Area Land Trust.Type your paragraph here.