Reginald I. Vachon

Reginald Irenee Vachon (January 29, 1937 – December 24, 2020) was an American mechanical engineer, business executive, lawyer and inventor, known as former president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Vachon was born in Norfolk, Virginia, son of Rene Albert Vachon and Regina (Galvin) Radcliffe Vachon. After his high school graduation in 1954, he attended the United States Naval Academy in 1954-55. He continued his studies at Auburn University, where he obtained his BSc in mechanical engineering in 1958, and his MSc in nuclear science in 1960.

Vachon further continued his studies at Oklahoma State University, where he obtain his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in 1963. In 1969 he would also obtained his Bachelor of Laws at the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law. In the meantime Vachon had started his academic career at Auburn University in 1958 as a research assistant, became a research associate in 1963, and was associate professor from 1963 to 1978.

In 1977, Vachon founded Vachon Nix & Associates, where he is president ever since. From 1981 to 1990 he worked as chief operating officer at the Thacker Construction Company. In 1991-92 he was President and CEO of Compris Technology, Inc., and has served as an executive in some other companies ever since, including United Information Technologies, Inc. and Direct Measurements, Inc.

He was President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers International in 2003-2004.

He was awarded the 2019 ASME Medal by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.