Justin Daniel Starr is the Endowed Professor of Advanced Technology at the Community College of Allegheny County and President of High Tide Technologies, a leading provider of remote SCADA systems in the U.S. He is deeply committed to advancing career and technical education, connecting students in automation programs with companies performing cutting-edge work. Through his efforts, hundreds of students in the Greater Pittsburgh Region have gained industry experience and family-sustaining careers.

Previously, Justin served as COO of Topanga Partners, LP, a lower-middle market private equity firm, and CTO of RedZone Robotics, Inc., a manufacturer of inspection robots and asset management software for water and wastewater infrastructure. He has a proven track record of scaling “hard technology” businesses, achieving 2-10x revenue growth in 3-5 years, and participating in multiple successful exits to private equity and strategic partners.

Justin holds a B.S. in Engineering Science from the University of Virginia (Rodman and Jefferson Scholar) and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering from the University of Florida (Graduate School Fellow). He has over 15 U.S. patents, authored dozens of technical publications, and written the books Robotic Safety Systems and Water and Wastewater Pipeline Assessment Technologies, widely referenced in the field.

Outside of work, Justin enjoys beekeeping, restoring vintage electronics, and spending quality time with his wife, Liliane, and son, Augustus.