About Us
Donald V. Budinger
Don Budinger is a founder and the former President of Rodel, Inc. - a garage start up that grew to become the world’s largest manufacturer of the surface finishing chemicals used to make computer chips, rigid memory disks and specialty optics.
When Rodel was sold in 1999, a significant portion of the proceeds was contributed to create The Rodel Foundations. The purpose of the Rodel Foundations is to improve the pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public education systems in Delaware and Arizona so that they will be widely recognized as two of the best in the nation.
Currently, Don is Chairman and Founding Director of the Rodel Foundations, Chairman and Founding Director of Science Foundation Arizona, Co-Chair of the Coalition for Solutions Through Higher Education, a member of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council and serves on the board of directors of the Arizona College Scholarship Foundation, Tucson Values Teachers, The Morrison Institute and Greater Phoenix Leadership. In addition, Don serves on the Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee and the O’Connor House Advisory Group.
Don has been the recipient of several awards including the 2007 inaugural “Techanthropic Award” from a coalition of The Arizona Technology Council, Microsoft Corp. and NPower; the “Science of Early Learning Award” from New Directions Institute; the “Horace Steele Child Advocacy Award” from Children’s Action Alliance, the “Outstanding Achievement in Higher Education” award from the Arizona Board of Regents; the “Homeroom Heroes” award from Teach for America and the “Distinguished Service” award from the University of Arizona College of Engineering.
Mr. Budinger graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964.