Donor Spotlight: Michael V. Testani, MS ’02

In April, Binghamton University launched EXCELERATE: Moving at the Speed of Binghamton. The University’s most ambitious campaign in its history will invest in people and priorities that make Binghamton a home to excellence, leadership and innovation. Alumni, parents, students and community all have fueled our rise in enrollment and reputation. EXCELERATE is an opportunity for everyone to unite, participate and shape the University’s future. Some alumni who give back financially to the University share why this is a value they hold dear. Click here to donate.

The desire to help others was a strong motivating factor for Michael V. Testani, MS ’02, in his three decades of work as an engineer. That spirit has continued in his relatively new career as senior director of outreach and engagement for Watson College.

“I was a business transformation consultant for IBM, and this great opportunity at Watson came up, right in my own backyard,” Testani says. “I was excited to work with industry in this role, helping with the implementation of new technologies, and growing Watson’s continuing education and professional development programs.

“The transformation work I was doing at IBM had to do with educating workers, giving them new ways of looking at things and new ways of building skills. It was very rewarding.”

Testani’s altruism is apparent through his financial giving to Watson. He views this as a form of investment, similar in tone to when he worked in private industry and participated in employee shareholder programs.

“What is fulfilling about investing in Watson is that you can see the dividends,” Testani says. “Our students do amazing work. Our placement rates are off the charts. I see students who have graduated, whom I’ve known for a while, and now they are vice presidents, senior directors and CEOs, 10 to 15 years after graduating. It’s just an amazing trajectory, and if I can help in a small way, it’s inspiring to me.”

Testani, who earned a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from Watson, is very grateful for his academic experience, saying it applied directly to his work. After earning his undergraduate degree from Alfred University, Testani worked for Universal Instruments and Dovatron, before spending 20 years at IBM in quality systems engineer and managerial roles.

“The courses I was taking in scheduling, planning, optimization and quality management were right in line with the work I was doing in manufacturing electronics,” he says. “This really helped my career advancement.”

As a lifelong resident of the Binghamton area, Testani is proud to see what Binghamton University and Watson College have grown into.

“I think outstanding people work here,” he says. “They work very hard, and that’s why it’s easy for me to invest in Watson’s continued growth. Although we’ve come a long way, I think we’re just getting started in many ways. The potential is just amazing, and Watson is worthy of alumni support.”