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MATRIC celebrates another year of innovation

At an annual business meeting and reception in Charleston Thursday, a West Virginia research company touted the innovation, revenue and high-tech jobs it continues to bring to the Mountain State.

Keith Pauley, president and CEO of the Mid-Atlantic Technology, Research and Innovation Center, told a crowd of employees and supporters the research facility MATRIC has brought in approximately $43.8 million in revenue over the past eight years and informally estimated more than a $100 million in economic impact.

"Over the next three years, we expect to more than double that amount," Pauley said. "Our growth rate is significant going forward -- more significant than it was in the past."

The South Charleston-based business has been responsible for a number of technological innovations spawning new companies.

Pauley said MATRIC brings 95 percent of its revenue from areas outside of the state, bringing completely "new money" to the state that otherwise would not have come. Pauley said about 70 percent of work comes from the private sector.

"The remaining 30 percent is largely from competitively won federal contracts," Pauley said. "Contracts with NASA, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, Homeland Security. These are very difficult national competitions which we have been able to convince them that we are the best at creating new technologies and advanced engineering and technical services for them."

About 25 percent of revenue didn't come from the U.S. at all, Pauley said. International investment, he said has been viewed by world companies as a way to boost their own goals.

In an announcement of the event, MATRIC touted its model of integrating "late-career professionals" and young scientists and engineers to mentor new employees. This was highlighted Thursday with a panel of four employees who discussed their own experiences at MATRIC.

The announcement, along with an employee award ceremony, reception and informational booths, was presented at the Clay Center Thursday.

 Star employee awards were given to Brooke Albin, Vic Baker, John Matheney, Ramona Neal and Jane Copley, vice president for administration. Patrick Bond a member of MATRIC's board of directors, was also honored for his contributions.

MATRIC, founded in 2003, has more than 100 employees.