Gender- M

Race- Caucasian

Religion- Church of the Brethren

Education- Virginia Polytechnic Institute (B.S.E.E., 1962)

Registered Professional Engineer (1997)

Virginia Colleges and Universities-

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Military Service- USA (1955-58)

Occupation/Profession- Business owner/engineer

Membership & Affiliation- Church of the Brethren

Sons of Confederate Veterans (treasurer)

Radtech International

Virginia Society of Professional Engineers

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

4-H Educational Center (board of directors)

Virginia Tech Engineering Committee of 100 (board member)

Loudoun County Civil War Roundtable

Holds 22 patents

Spouse- Roberta Compton Downs

Children- Susan and Elaine M. Attridge

Awards- Northern Virginia Technology Council, Tech Ten/Tech Tenure Award (1995, 1997, 1998, 1999)

Virginia's Outstanding Industrialist of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award (1996)

Governor's Legislative Leadership Award (2000)

Boy Scouts of America, Good Scout Award (2000)

Virginia Transit, Legislator of the Year (2000)

Greater Washington Area, Engineer of the Year (2001)

Rotary, Paul Harris Award (2001)

Virginia Biotechnology Association, Legislator of the Year (2001)

Government Technology Magazine, In the Arena Award (2003)

Civil War Preservation Trust, State Leadership Award (2007)

Virginia Tech Academy of Engineering Excellence (2009)