For Kevin and Patricia (Trish) Goeller, supporting the Northern Virginia Science Center reflects a lifelong connection to science and technology and the ways they shape our everyday lives. “Technology doesn't just mean cell phones, internet, AI, and data centers,” Kevin shares. “Technology impacts many other areas, like agriculture and the environment.”
That perspective comes from experience. As a former Loudoun County resident, Kevin's first career was in agriculture. In the early 1980s, he operated an organic farm consisting of 52 acres of peaches and 3.5 acres of raspberries. The farm relied on innovative practices for its time, including irrigation from a family-built lake, soil-moisture monitoring, organic fertilizers, and environmentally responsible pest management.
Today, Kevin’s career has come full circle. For the past 40 years, he has specialized in commercial real estate development throughout Loudoun County and the Dulles Corridor, including projects that support the growth of the data center industry. From agriculture to technology, science has been a constant thread throughout his life.
It is not surprising that when Bruce Roberts and Casey Veatch introduced the Goellers to the Northern Virginia Science Center, they immediately recognized the opportunity this project represents for children and families. “The new center will be a place to encourage our children and grandchildren to embrace all areas of technology and value the food we eat, the livestock we grow, and the earth that sustains us. Let’s empower these young people to produce limitless safe and clean drinking water, grow food in the desert, and cure worldwide diseases. We are honored to partner with the Northern Virginia Science Center and hope it becomes a place where children are inspired and futures are shaped,” explained Kevin.
As Element Partners of the Launch the Future campaign, Kevin said that choosing the elements to recognize their family’s support was easy. “Anyone in agriculture knows that healthy crops begin with healthy soil and the importance of N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), the three essential macronutrients that sustain plant growth and produce healthier crops and land.”
For Trish, the connection to the three elements was just as personal. Potassium (K) represents Kevin, phosphorus (P) represents Patricia, and together with nitrogen (N), the three elements symbolize the family and the scientific principles that have influenced their lives.
The Northern Virginia Science Center is grateful to the Goellers for honoring their family and lifetime connection to STEM with this investment. Should you be inspired to join them as partners in this important initiative, please contact Chief Advancement Officer Jenn Brunner (cao@childsci.org).
