Winston and Marilyn Samuels

Virginia Tech and the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics are grateful for the generosity of Winston and Marilyn Samuels.

Their support of the Data Science for the Public Good program will provide resources for a next-generation data scientist through the summer experiential internship. The Samuels have been long-time supporters of the university and in 2021 were named Philanthropist of the Year and in 2013 named to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Hall of Fame.

Winston Samuels completed his master’s degree and doctoral degree in animal science at Virginia Tech while Marilyn earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Virginia Tech and her master’s degree in psychology at Radford University. Their son Joel, is a 2013 graduate of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

After successful careers, in 2004 the couple cofounded Maxx Performance Inc. in Warwick, NY. Maxx Performance is a progressive biotechnology company that improves the functionality of raw ingredients for human food and animal health by manufacturing and marketing of microencapsulated specialty ingredients and delivery systems. The Samuels moved their production plant to Roanoke, VA in 2012 to stimulate high-tech business development in the region.