Reed specializes in research and technologies located in computer science, mechanical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, electrical and computer engineering, architecture and design. Prior to Carnegie Mellon, Reed was a licensing officer at the University of Pittsburgh's Office of Technology Management, where he was very active in licensing inventions, forming research collaborations with industry, and establishing startup companies. While at the OTM, Reed was the primary author of the University's policy on startup companies; helped to launch and operate the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative; and launched and implemented a campus-wide faculty education program on technology transfer and commercialization.

Reed also has worked at two technology support organizations in the region: the Ben Franklin Technology Center of Western Pennsylvania (now Innovation Works) and the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse. At the PLSG, he managed a number of investment programs and the wet-lab incubator operated by the PLSG for start-up companies. He is on the Board of Directors of the Enterprise Forum of Pittsburgh, Attack Theatre (a modern dance company), and for the Management Game program of CMU’s Tepper School of Business. Reed is also the Chair of the Program Committee for the Enterprise Forum--Pittsburgh.

Reed received a BA in Political Science/Economics from the University of Dayton, a JD from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from CMU.