Extracurricular Activities:Lambda Chi Alpha, Tau Beta Pi, SHPE, MTS, SNAME, Blue Wave Flag Football Club
What career or personal update would you like to give to your fellow Florida Tech Panthers alumni?
I was recently promoted to Director of Operations at Guardian Manufacturing, where I have the privilege of working with an exceptional team. We specialize in providing turnkey automation solutions for a variety of industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, material handling, and agriculture. Our comprehensive services cover every stage of the process, from planning and designing to building, testing, installing, commissioning, maintaining, and improving control systems. These sophisticated systems play a critical role in various applications, such as launching rockets into space, enhancing high-speed manufacturing processes, and bringing animatronic creatures to life. In addition to my professional responsibilities, I have a long-standing passion for coaching the Blue Wave women's flag football team, which I founded at Florida Tech back in 2002. What started as an intramural team has since blossomed into a thriving sports organization that spans multiple U.S. states. Our team not only competes in local leagues but also participates in national and international tournaments every year, showcasing the talents of players ranging in age from 19 to 55. Coaching this team has been incredibly rewarding, and it allows me to stay connected to the sport while fostering teamwork and athleticism among a diverse group of women.
How did your time at Florida Tech help get you to where you are today?
At Florida Tech, there were numerous opportunities to explore. I immersed myself in as many activities as possible to gain a broad college experience. This approach helped me acquire diverse knowledge, enabling me to work in various engineering fields without being confined to a single discipline. The constantly changing environment at Florida Tech taught me to remain agile and creative in overcoming daily challenges, whether academic or extracurricular.
What is your favorite Florida Tech memory?
My favorite memories of Florida Tech are from the two summers I served as a teaching assistant for marine field projects in the Department of Marine and Environmental Systems. I assisted with various projects in ocean engineering, meteorology, and oceanography, many of which involved fieldwork. Those experiences, especially the marine field cruises, solidified my desire to work in ocean-related fields. Additionally, my time with the Blue Wave Flag Football teams, from the 2002 Women's Championship celebration to the 2009 Men's Championship celebration, remains unforgettable.
Was there a mentor or professor who had a big impact on you personally and/or professionally?
Three people come to mind when I look back at Florida Tech. First is Professor Locurcio, a retired army general who taught a leadership class. This was the most important class I took, teaching me crucial leadership skills and how to work effectively with others. Secondly, Bill Batten, the MacGyver of the Department of Marine and Environmental Science, always had a way to build and fix things, and he was eager to teach students outside the classroom. Lastly, Dr. Stephen Wood, with whom I took multiple ocean engineering classes, had a casual approach to learning, mixing random tidbits of knowledge with serious material. I still use this technique to teach the younger team members at my workplace.
Please share any advice you have for current Florida Tech students.
Be flexible, open-minded, proactive, and always be willing to learn and improve. Stay humble in success and accountable in failure. Prioritize emotional intelligence, teamwork, and active listening above technical skills. With these qualities, you will be welcome anywhere.
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