List of Florida Institute of Technology people

This list contains people associated with the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida, including current and former college presidents, as well as notable alumni and faculty.

Academia and research

Professors and scholars

Name Class year Notability Reference
Apryl A. Alexander 2009 Forensic psychologist and Clinical psychologist; professor at the University of Denver
José E. Andrade 2001

Civil engineer; recipient of Thomas J.R. Hughes Young Investigator Award (2017) and Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize (2018); professor at California Institute of Technology

Randy Borum 1991 Forensic psychologist; intelligence, national security, & cyber defense; served on Defense Science Board; professor at University of South Florida
Mya Breitbart Oceanographer and marine biologist; professor at University of South Florida
Kent E. Carpenter 1975 Marine biologist; professor at Old Dominion University
Kevin C. Dittman Computer scientist; professor at Purdue University
Wassim Michael Haddad 1987 IEEE Fellow specialist in thermodynamics, stability theory, robust control, and dynamical system theory; professor at Georgia Institute of Technology [1]
Edward E. Thomas Jr. 1989 Plasma physicist; professor at Auburn University

Research, science, technology, and math

Name Class year Notability Reference
Mary Lou Zoback Researcher, geophysicist and seismologist

Astronauts

Name Class year Notability Reference
Joan Higginbotham 1992 Engineer, NASA astronaut, M.S. Management Science, 1992, M.S. Space Systems, 1996
Kathryn P. Hire 1991 NASA astronaut (STS-90), M.S. Space Technology
Christopher Loria NASA astronaut, M.S. degree in aeronautical engineering
Frederick W. Sturckow 2000

NASA astronaut, M.S. Mechanical Engineering, veteran of four Space Shuttle missions

Sunita Williams 1995 NASA astronaut, M.S. Engineering Management
George D. Zamka 1997 NASA astronaut (STS-120), M.S. Engineering Management

Business and entrepreneurship

Computers and Internet

Name Class year Notability Reference
Richard Adams Inventor and founder of Happy Computers [2]
Fahri Diner 1989 Founder of Plume and Qtera, which was bought out by Nortel for $3.2 billion
Herbert Hugh Thompson 2002

Chairman of RSA Conference and former chief technology officer of NortonLifeLock

Executives and finance

Name Class year Notability Reference
Gordon Derrick Former director of Antigua Commercial Bank
Ryan Gellert 1996 CEO of Patagonia, Inc. and former president of Black Diamond Equipment
Svafa Grönfeldt 1995 Former deputy CEO at Actavis, Executive Vice President at Alvogen, and former president of Reykjavík University [3]
David P. Norton Co-founder of Palladium International; known for working with Robert S. Kaplan to co-create the balanced scorecard approach
Salli Setta 1992 Former president of Red Lobster and executive vice president of Olive Garden under Darden Restaurants
Dia Simms 1992 CEO of Lobos 1707 Tequila & Mezcal and former president of Sean Combs's Combs Enterprises
Jim Thomas Former president of Sierra and Executive Vice President/CFO positions at MicroProse, Rivian Automotive, and MapQuest; managed the initial public offering of MapQuest
Ronnie Wong 2007 Founder of Chung Wah Shipbuilding & Engineering Company and former chairman of Po Leung Kuk

Miscellaneous

Name Class year Notability Reference
Chaz Stevens 1982 Founder of ESADoggy

Government, law, and public policy

Diplomats

Name Class year Notability Reference
Jeanine E. Jackson 1971 16th U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso (2006–2009); 17th U.S. Ambassador to Malawi (2011–2014)

International

Name Class year Notability Reference
Gerald Berkel Island governor of Sint Eustatius 2010–2016
Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi 2000 Governor of Muscat, Oman
Kao Kuang-chi 31st Minister of National Defense of the Republic of China, and retired admiral of the Republic of China Navy
Prince Louis of Luxembourg Third son of Grand Duke Henri (monarch of Luxembourg, 2000–present); studied aeronautics and aeronautical management for two years (c.2009–2011) at FIT
Waleed A. Samkari 1988 Brigadier general; former director of the Jordanian Maintenance Corps

Judges

Name Class year Notability Reference
John Antoon 1993 United States federal judge
Catharina Haynes 1983 United States federal judge

Law, politics, and public policy

Name Class year Notability Reference
Peter Durant Member of the Massachusetts Senate since 2023 and former member of Massachusetts House of Representatives 6th district (2011–2013)
Craig Fugate
Former administrator of Federal Emergency Management Agency[4]
Dana Gartzke Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development under 45th President of the United States Donald Trump
Jeffrey D. Grant
1975
 Former director, Office of Plans and Analysis in National Reconnaissance Office; served as a programs director at CIA Directorate of Intelligence, Office of Scientific Intelligence and the Directorate of Science and Technology
Jacey Jetton Member of the Texas House of Representatives since 2021
Kathy McGuiness Auditor of Delaware, 2019–2022
Steven McLaughlin County executive of Rensselaer County, NY and Member of New York State Assembly 107th district (2011–2017)
Tom Reeder Member of Wyoming House of Representatives representing 58th district, 2011–2017
David Smith Member of the Florida House of Representatives representing the state's 38th House district since 2018
Stephen R. Speed 1993 Mayor of Dover, Delaware, 2004–2007
Tom Stuart Mayor of Meridian, Mississippi, 1973–1977 [5]

Military

Name Class year Notability Reference
James W. Ball Major general USA, Ret.; served as the 24th Chief of Ordnance
Charles C. Cannon 1976 Major general USA, Ret.; served as the Aide-de-camp to General Dwight D. Eisenhower
David T. Cloft 2007 Lieutenant colonel USA, Ret.; formerly served as executive officer (XO) for U.S. Army Accessions Command; competitive shooter for US National Rifle Team; seven-time national champion and has set 11 US national Rrcords
Jesse Cross 1991 Brigadier general USA, Ret.; 50th Quartermaster General of the United States Army
Jeffrey W. Drushal ? Brigadier general; chief of Transportation Corps
Ann E. Dunwoody 1987 General USA, M.S., first female four-star general in the military
James L. Herdt 1992 9th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Larry L. Hereth 1992 Commander of the Fifth Coast Guard District of the United States Coast Guard
Galen B. Jackman 1983 Major general US, Ret.; Chief of Legislative Liaison, U.S. Army [6]
Dennis K. Jackson Major general USA, Ret.; served as the 30th Chief of Ordnance and as the Director of logistics (J4) United States Central Command
Herbert J. McChrystal Major general, former commander of United States Army Test and Evaluation Command
Al M. Niles, Jr 2010 Colonel USA, decorated special operations aviator and former wing commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 for Task Force Warfighter
Gustave F. Perna General, 19th commander of United States Army Materiel Command
Aundre F. Piggee Lieutenant general, United States Army Logistics Branch Deputy Chief
David A. Score 1989 Rear admiral, 17th Director of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps [7]
Steven A. Shapiro 1994 Major general USA, Ret.; served as 9th commanding general of United States Army Sustainment Command
Billy K. Solomon Lieutenant general, served as 6th commander of United States Army Combined Arms Support Command
Mitchell H. Stevenson Lieutenant general, served as the 31st chief of ordnance
Peter Talleri 1997 Major general, former commander of Marine Corps Installations Pacific
Thomas H. Todd III 1997 Lieutenant general; deputy commanding general of United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command
Jonathan White 1981 Rear admiral; commander of Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command
Johnnie E. Wilson 1977 General USA, Ret.; served as the 25th Chief of Ordnance [8]
Cedric T. Wins Major general USA, Ret.; first commander of reorganized United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM)
Larry D. Wyche Lieutenant general, served as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command
David T. Zabecki 1976 Major general USA, Ret.; former deputy chief of the United States Army Reserve

Humanities, arts, entertainment, and social sciences

Actors

Name Class year Notability Reference
Richard Hatch Original winner of the CBS Survivor television series
Jim Quinn 1988 Engineer on American Chopper and Orange County Choppers show, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering [9]
Don "The Dragon" Wilson Actor & martial artist inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame

Writers

Name Class year Notability Reference
Lela E. Buis 1991 Author, poet and playwright
Joni E. Johnston 1985 Author and forensic psychologist
Jazmin Truesdale Writer and creator of AZA Comics

Science, technology, medicine and engineering

Science and engineering

Name Class year Notability Reference
Addison Bain NASA scientist credited with postulating the Incendiary Paint Theory
Alyssa Carson 2023 Social media influencer and space enthusiast [10]
David A. King 1991 Director, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center [11]
Ramon Lugo III 1982 Director of Florida Space Institute and former NASA director of the Glenn Research Center
Julius Montgomery 1964 First Black professional in the U.S. Space Program [12]
Mike Moses 1989 President of Virgin Galactic; former NASA Space Shuttle program launch integration manager from 2008 until the conclusion of the program in 2011 [13]
Amy Simon 1993 NASA senior scientist at Goddard Space Flight Center, involved in several missions of the Solar System Exploration Program
Felix Soto Toro 1990 NASA engineer, developed the advanced payload transfer measurement system for NASA [14]
Sara Imari Walker 2005 Theoretical physicist and astrobiologist scientist at NASA Astrobiology Institute
Josh Habka 2026 Founder of the International Biohacking Community, Biohacker, Chief executive officer of Astrochain, and Science communicator. [15][16]

Technology

Name Class year Notability Reference
Frank J. Canova 1978 Inventor of the smartphone and IBM Simon
John Cosker 1991 Designer, builder of high end fast powerboats

Sports

Name Class year Notability Reference
Austin Allen Professional baseball player for New York Mets
Fred Armstrong Former professional soccer player
Thomas Bohrer Olympic rower medalist
Keiran Breslin 1994 Professional soccer player
Mark Cartwright Former professional soccer player and manager of Stoke City F.C.
Robin Chan 1990 Former professional soccer player
Dean Faithfull 2011 Professional gridiron football player for Edmonton Elks
Steve Freeman 1989 Professional soccer player
Aubin-Thierry Goporo 1996 Former Olympic basketball player with Central African Republic and current director of Student-Athlete Development, Tennessee Volunteers basketball
J.T. Hassell 2019 Former professional football player for National Football League (NFL)
Rocío Hernández 2006 Professional soccer player and former captain of the Puerto Rico women's national team Olympic team
Jan Hlavica 2017 Former professional soccer player
Daniela Iacobelli Professional golfer
Ubaldo Jimenez 2021 Professional baseball player [17]
Khalid Outaleb 1986 Former professional tennis player
Ricahard Sharpe 1993 Former professional soccer player
Paul Sturgess Professional basketball player
Francisco Ubiera 2013 Professional soccer player representing Dominican Republic national team
Valur Orri Valsson 2020 Professional basketball player
Tim Wakefield Professional baseball player
Dwight Walton Professional basketball player
Narupon Wild 2011 Professional soccer player
Tom Windle Professional soccer player
Jiya Wright Professional football player Sioux Falls Storm

Staff and faculty

Florida Institute of Technology presidents

Name Notability Reference
Anthony Catanese President of FIT 2002–2016 [18]
Winston E. Scott Vice president of FIT, former NASA astronaut [19]

Staff and faculty

Name Notability Reference
Buzz Aldrin Astronaut second man on the moon; senior advisor and professor of studies on space exploration at FIT, namesake of Florida Tech's Space Institute [20]
Samuel Durrance Former NASA Space Shuttle payload specialist; university professor of physics and space sciences
Mary Helen Johnston (McCay) Engineer; former NASA astronaut
Cem Kaner University professor and Director of Center for Software Testing Education & Research
Joan C. Sherman Chemist

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alumni of the Florida Institute of Technology.
  1. ^ "Dr. Wassim M. Haddad". Georgia Tech. Archived from the original on July 26, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  2. ^ "Richmond, Leigh, "Computer hums its own music" Evening Times Melbourne FL Monday November 11, 1974, A1". Exoticsciences.com. October 22, 2008. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  3. ^ "The secret to the success of Reykjavik University". IceNews. January 8, 2008. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
  4. ^ Lauren Korneich (March 4, 2009). "Fugate nominated for FEMA director". CNN. Archived from the original on March 5, 2009. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  5. ^ "Sheila Blackmon/Meridian Star, Tom Stuart, former mayor, dies". Franklin County Times. November 19, 2001. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  6. ^ "The Office of The Chief Legislative Liaison". Hqda.army.mil. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  7. ^ "Rear Admiral David A. Score, NOAA Director, NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps Director, Office of Marine and Aviation Operations". noaacorps.noaa.gov. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  8. ^ African-American Ascends from Private to Four-Star General Archived January 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "Team". Orange County Choppers. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  10. ^ Ormont Blumberg, Perri (March 4, 2020). "Baton Rouge Teenager Alyssa Carson Is Aiming to Be First Human to Walk on Mars". Southern Living. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  11. ^ "NASA – NASA'S Marshall Center Director David King Receives Presidential Rank Award – Nation's Highest Honor for Federal Service". Nasa.gov. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  12. ^ Seelye, Katharine Q. "Julius Montgomery, Who Broke a Space-Age Race Barrier, Dies at 90", The New York Times, February 21, 2020, updated February 27, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  13. ^ "Biography of Michael P. Moses".
  14. ^ "NASA Quest > Space Team Online". Quest.arc.nasa.gov. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  15. ^ "Josh Habka - H+Pedia". hpluspedia.org. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  16. ^ "Josh Habka - International Biohacking Community". biohackinginternational.com. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  17. ^ Wagner, James (May 7, 2021). "A Pitcher Never Forgot His Promise to His Mother". The New York Times. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  18. ^ Neale, Rick (June 10, 2016). "Florida Tech president retires, returning as professor". Florida Today. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  19. ^ Scott, Winston, Florida Tech
  20. ^ Reed, Matt (August 6, 2015). "Buzz Aldrin will become professor at Florida Tech". Florida Today. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
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