After more than 25 years at Georgia Tech, including six years leading the Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI), Executive Director Carson Meredith will depart the Institute this summer to begin a new role at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Effective August 1, Chris Luettgen will assume the role of interim director of RBI.

“Carson has made lasting contributions to Georgia Tech and to RBI during his time as executive director,” said Julia Kubanek, vice president for Interdisciplinary Research. “We are grateful for his leadership and wish him continued success in this next chapter.”

During his tenure, Meredith helped expand RBI’s research footprint, strengthen partnerships across academia and industry, and advance the Institute’s leadership in sustainable bioproducts and bio-based innovation. His work helped position RBI as a key driver of collaboration and research in the forest products and renewable materials sectors.

Luettgen brings extensive experience in forest-based and bio-based research, industry collaboration, and technical leadership. He has held leadership roles at Georgia Tech and has longstanding ties to the Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST), working extensively at the intersection of academic research and industry collaboration. He currently serves as Professor of the Practice in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, where he teaches in Georgia Tech’s pulp and paper program and serves as RBI’s strategic lead for Pulp and Paper.

Before joining Georgia Tech, Luettgen spent many years at Kimberly-Clark and Scott Paper Company, where he held senior technical and research leadership positions focused on translating research into commercial impact. He is also widely recognized for his longstanding involvement with the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI), reflecting his commitment to advancing innovation, workforce development, and collaboration across the forest products and bioproducts industries.

“Chris brings deep expertise, strong industry connections, and a clear understanding of RBI’s mission and community,” Meredith said. “I’m confident he will provide steady leadership and continuity for the Institute during this transition.”

RBI will share additional details regarding the transition in the coming months.