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 ReferenceApryl A. Alexander2009Forensic psychologist and clinical psychologist; professor at the University of DenverJosé E. Andrade2001Civil 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 TechnologyRandy Borum1991 Forensic psychologist; intelligence, national security, & cyber defense; served on Defense Science Board; professor at University of South FloridaMya Breitbart Oceanographer and marine biologist; professor at University of South FloridaKent E. Carpenter1975 Marine biologist; professor at Old Dominion UniversityKevin C. Dittman Computer scientist; professor at Purdue UniversityWassim Michael Haddad1987 IEEE Fellow specialist in thermodynamics, stability theory, robust control, and dynamical system theory; professor at Georgia Institute of TechnologyEdward E. Thomas Jr.1989 Plasma physicist; professor at Auburn University
Research, science, technology, and math Name Class year Notability ReferenceMary Lou Zoback Researcher, geophysicist and seismologist
Astronauts Name Class year Notability ReferenceJoan Higginbotham1992Engineer, NASA astronaut, M.S. Management Science, 1992, M.S. Space Systems, 1996Kathryn P. Hire1991NASA astronaut (STS-90), M.S. Space TechnologyChristopher Loria NASA astronaut, M.S. degree in aeronautical engineering Frederick W. Sturckow2000NASA astronaut, M.S. Mechanical Engineering, veteran of four Space Shuttle missions Sunita Williams1995NASA astronaut, M.S. Engineering ManagementGeorge D. Zamka1997NASA astronaut (STS-120), M.S. Engineering Management
Business and entrepreneurship Computers and Internet Name Class year Notability ReferenceRichard AdamsInventor and founder of Happy ComputersFahri Diner1989Founder of Plume and Qtera, which was bought out by Nortel for $3.2 billionHerbert Hugh Thompson2002Chairman of RSA Conference and former chief technology officer of NortonLifeLock
Executives and finance Name Class year Notability ReferenceGordon DerrickFormer director of Antigua Commercial Bank Ryan Gellert1996CEO of Patagonia, Inc. and former president of Black Diamond EquipmentSvafa Grönfeldt1995Former deputy CEO at Actavis, executive vice president at Alvogen, and former president of Reykjavík UniversityDavid P. NortonCo-founder of Palladium International; known for working with Robert S. Kaplan to co-create the balanced scorecard approachSalli Setta1992Former president of Red Lobster and executive vice president of Olive Garden under Darden RestaurantsDia Simms1992CEO of Lobos 1707 Tequila & Mezcal and former president of Sean Combs's Combs EnterprisesJim ThomasFormer president of Sierra and Executive Vice President/CFO positions at MicroProse, Rivian Automotive, and MapQuest; managed the initial public offering of MapQuestRonnie Wong2007Founder of Chung Wah Shipbuilding & Engineering Company and former chairman of Po Leung Kuk
Miscellaneous Name Class year Notability ReferenceChaz Stevens1982Founder of ESADoggy
Government, law, and public policy Diplomats Name Class year Notability ReferenceJeanine E. Jackson1971 16th U.S. ambassador to Burkina Faso (2006–2009); 17th U.S. ambassador to Malawi (2011–2014)
International Name Class year Notability ReferenceGerald Berkel Island governor of Sint Eustatius 2010–2016Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi2000Governor of Muscat, OmanKao Kuang-chi 31st Minister of National Defense of the Republic of China, and retired admiral of the Republic of China NavyPrince Louis of LuxembourgThird son of Grand Duke Henri (monarch of Luxembourg, 2000–present); studied aeronautics and aeronautical management for two years (c.2009–2011) at FITWaleed A. Samkari1988 Brigadier general; former director of the Jordanian Maintenance Corps
Judges Name Class year Notability ReferenceJohn Antoon1993United States federal judgeCatharina Haynes1983United States federal judge
Law, politics, and public policy Name Class year Notability ReferencePeter 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 AgencyDana Gartzke Assistant secretary of Commerce for Economic Development under 45th President of the United States Donald TrumpJeffrey D. Grant Former director, Office of Plans and Analysis in National Reconnaissance Office; served as programs director at CIA Directorate of Intelligence, Office of Scientific Intelligence and the Directorate of Science and TechnologyJacey 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 ReederMember of Wyoming House of Representatives representing 58th district, 2011–2017David Smith Member of the Florida House of Representatives representing the state's 38th House district since 2018 Stephen R. Speed1993Mayor of Dover, Delaware, 2004–2007Tom Stuart Mayor of Meridian, Mississippi, 1973–1977
Military Name Class year Notability ReferenceJames W. Ball Major general USA, Ret.; served as the 24th Chief of OrdnanceCharles C. Cannon Jr.1976 Major general USA, Ret.https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CRECB-2001-pt10/html/CRECB-2001-pt10-Pg13741-2.htmDavid T. Cloft2007Lieutenant 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 recordsJesse Cross1991 Brigadier general USA, Ret.; 50th quartermaster general of the United States ArmyJeffrey W. Drushal? Brigadier general USA; chief of Transportation CorpsAnn E. Dunwoody1987 General USA, M.S., first female four-star general in the militaryJames L. Herdt19929th master chief petty officer of the Navy, USNLarry L. Hereth1992 Rear admiral USCG, commander of the Fifth Coast Guard District of the United States Coast GuardGalen B. Jackman1983 Major general USA, Ret.; chief of Legislative Liaison, U.S. Army Dennis K. Jackson Major general USA, Ret.; served as the 30th chief of Ordnance and director of logistics (J4) United States Central Command Herbert J. McChrystal Major general USA, former commander of United States Army Test and Evaluation CommandAl M. Niles, Jr2010Colonel USA, decorated special operations aviator and former wing commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 for Task Force WarfighterGustave F. Perna General USA, 19th commander of United States Army Materiel CommandAundre F. Piggee Lieutenant general USA, United States Army Logistics Branch deputy chiefDavid A. Score1989 Rear admiral, 17th director of the NOAA Commissioned Officer CorpsSteven A. Shapiro1994 Major general USA, Ret.; served as 9th commanding general of United States Army Sustainment CommandBilly K. Solomon Lieutenant general USA, served as 6th commander of United States Army Combined Arms Support Command Mitchell H. Stevenson Lieutenant general USA, served as the 31st chief of ordnance Peter Talleri1997 Major general USMC, former commander of Marine Corps Installations PacificThomas H. Todd III1997 Lieutenant general USA; deputy commanding general of United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Jonathan White1981Rear admiral USN; commander of Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Johnnie E. Wilson1977 General USA, Ret.; served as the 25th chief of OrdnanceAfrican-American Ascends from Private to Four-Star General Cedric T. Wins Major general USA, Ret.; first commander of reorganized United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM)Larry D. Wyche Lieutenant general USA, served as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support CommandDavid T. Zabecki1976 Major general USA, Ret.; former deputy chief of the United States Army Reserve
Humanities, arts, entertainment, and social sciences Actors Name Class year Notability ReferenceRichard HatchOriginal winner of the CBS Survivor television seriesDon "The Dragon" Wilson Actor and martial artist inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame
Writers Name Class year Notability ReferenceLela E. Buis1991Author, poet and playwrightJoni E. Johnston1985Author and forensic psychologist Jazmin TruesdaleWriter and creator of AZA Comics
Science, technology, medicine and engineering
Science and engineering Name Class year Notability ReferenceAddison Bain NASA scientist credited with postulating the incendiary paint theory Alyssa Carson2023Social media influencer and space enthusiast David A. King1991Director, NASA Marshall Space Flight CenterRamon Lugo III1982 Director of Florida Space Institute and former NASA director of the Glenn Research CenterJulius Montgomery1964First Black professional in the U.S. Space ProgramSeelye, 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. Mike Moses1989President of Virgin Galactic; former NASA Space Shuttle program launch integration manager from 2008 until the conclusion of the program in 2011 Amy Simon1993 NASA senior scientist at Goddard Space Flight Center, involved in several missions of the Solar System Exploration ProgramFelix Soto Toro1990NASA engineer, developed the advanced payload transfer measurement system for NASASara Imari Walker2005 Theoretical physicist and astrobiologist scientist at NASA Astrobiology Institute
Technology Name Class year Notability ReferenceFrank 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 ReferenceAustin Allen Professional baseball player for New York MetsThomas Bohrer Olympic rower medalist Keiran Breslin 1994 Professional soccer playerMark Cartwright Former professional soccer player and manager of Stoke City F.C.Robin Chan1990 Former professional soccer playerDean Faithfull 2011 Professional gridiron football player for Edmonton Elks Steve Freeman 1989 Professional soccer playerAubin-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 teamJan Hlavica 2017 Former professional soccer playerDaniela Iacobelli Professional golfer Ubaldo Jimenez2021Professional baseball playerKhalid 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 playerNarupon 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 Winston E. Scott Vice president of FIT, former NASA astronaut Scott, Winston, Florida Tech
Staff and faculty