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	[ citation needed ]
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

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
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	[15]
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	[16]
Winston E. Scott	Vice president of FIT, former NASA astronaut	[17]

Staff and faculty

Main category: Florida Institute of Technology 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	[18]
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

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. Wagner, James (May 7, 2021). "A Pitcher Never Forgot His Promise to His Mother". The New York Times . Retrieved July 2, 2022.
16. Neale, Rick (June 10, 2016). "Florida Tech president retires, returning as professor". Florida Today. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
17. Scott, Winston, Florida Tech
18. Reed, Matt (August 6, 2015). "Buzz Aldrin will become professor at Florida Tech". Florida Today. Retrieved February 10, 2017.