THOMAS O. HUNTER – CHAIR

Dr. Thomas (Tom) O. Hunter retired in July 2010 as President and Laboratories Director of Sandia National Laboratories. Sandia, with principal sites in Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA, is a multi-program laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. Dr. Hunter joined Sandia in 1967 and became president in April 2005. His responsibilities included managing the Laboratories’ $2.3 billion annual budget and approximately 8,400 employees.

In May, DOE Secretary Steven Chu appointed Dr. Hunter as lead of the federal government’s scientific team that has worked with BP officials to develop and analyze solutions to the BP oil spill. That work is continuing.

Before assuming his role as Sandia’s Director, Dr. Hunter served as the Labs’ Senior Vice President for Defense Programs. In that capacity, he led the Defense Programs Strategic Management Unit, including approximately 60 percent of the Laboratories’ annual budget.

From October 1995 to March 1999, Dr. Hunter served as Vice President of Sandia’s California Laboratory. Responsibilities included managing programs in nuclear weapons R&D, nonproliferation, advanced manufacturing technology, information systems, environmental technology, and energy research. He also served as corporate leader for the development of nonproliferation, arms control, and materials management programs.

Earlier in his Sandia career, Dr. Hunter was Sandia’s Director of the Energy and Environment Program Center, where he coordinated activities in energy development and environmental quality and emphasized international energy and environment development and supporting information systems. He led Sandia and U.S. DOE laboratory programs to establish cooperative R&D programs in the former Soviet Union to support nuclear nonproliferation. He also was Sandia’s Director of Nuclear Waste Management and Transportation, Manager of the Yucca Mountain Project, and leader of the R&D Program for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.

Dr. Hunter is a member of the Engineering Advisory Board for the University of Florida, Council on Foreign Relations, American Nuclear Society, New Mexico Technology Commercialization Council, the MIND Research Network, and the U.S. Strategic Command’s Strategic Advisory Group. He has served as a member and Chair for the Board of Visitors for the Dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (University of CA at Davis), on various review groups with other DOE laboratories, guest lecturer at Massachusetts Institute of Technology on nuclear waste management, and as an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico. He is the author of numerous technical papers and presentations. He is a recipient of the 2007 New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award.

Dr. Hunter earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida, an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico, an M.S. in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin, and a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He was recognized as a distinguished alumnus by both the University of Florida and the University of Wisconsin.

MARTY ABBOTT

Marty is an inventor, entrepreneur, technologist and business leader with executive experience in both Fortune 500 and startup companies. He was formerly the COO of Quigo, an advertising technology startup sold to AOL, where he was responsible for product strategy, product management, technology and client services.

Prior to Quigo, Marty spent nearly 6 years at eBay, most recently as the SVP of Technology/CTO during which time he was also a member of eBay’s executive staff.

Before eBay, Marty held domestic and international engineering, management and executive positions at Gateway and Motorola. Marty spent a total of 12 years on active and reserve duty as an officer in the US Army.

Marty has an MS in Computer Engineering from the University of Florida, a BS in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy (West Point) and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Executive Education Program (Program for Management Development). Marty is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Management degree from Case Western Reserve University. He is researching executive team conflict within startups.

Marty serves on the Boards of Directors for Onforce, Bullhorn and LodgeNet Interactive (NASD: LNET) and is on the advisory boards at Rearden Commerce, Goldmail and LiveOps.

Marty’s issued and pending patents range from authentication of electronic documents to the automated optimization of content, products and advertising based on aesthetic attributes. Marty is also the recipient of the highest award given by the Director of the USSS to non Secret Service employees.

NORMAN R. AUGUSTINE

Norman R. Augustine was raised in Colorado and attended Princeton University where he graduated with a BSE in Aeronautical Engineering, magna cum laude, and an MSE.  He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Xi.

In 1958 he joined the Douglas Aircraft Company in California where he worked as a Research Engineer, Program Manager and Chief Engineer.  Beginning in 1965, he served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as Assistant Director of Defense Research and Engineering.  He joined LTV Missiles and Space Company in 1970, serving as Vice President, Advanced Programs and Marketing.  In 1973 he returned to the government as Assistant Secretary of the Army and in 1975 became Under Secretary of the Army, and later Acting Secretary of the Army.  Joining Martin Marietta Corporation in 1977 as Vice President of Technical Operations, he was elected as CEO in 1987 and chairman in 1988, having previously been President and COO.  He served as president of Lockheed Martin Corporation upon the formation of that company in 1995, and became CEO later that year.  He retired as chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin in August 1997, at which time he became a Lecturer with the Rank of Professor on the faculty of Princeton University where he served until July 1999.

Mr. Augustine was Chairman and Principal Officer of the American Red Cross for nine years, Chairman of the Council of the National Academy of Engineering, President and Chairman of the Association of the United States Army, Chairman of the Aerospace Industries Association, and Chairman of the Defense Science Board.  He is a former President of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Boy Scouts of America.   He is a current or former member of the Board of Directors of ConocoPhillips, Black & Decker, Proctor & Gamble and Lockheed Martin, and was a member of the Board of Trustees of Colonial Williamsburg.  He is a Regent of the University System of Maryland, Trustee Emeritus of Johns Hopkins and a former member of the Board of Trustees of Princeton and MIT.  He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Energy, was a member of the Hart/Rudman Commission on National Security, and served for 16 years on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.  He is a member of the American Philosophical Society, the National Academy of Sciences and the Council on Foreign Affairs, and is a Fellow of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Explorers Club.

Mr. Augustine has been presented the National Medal of Technology by the President of the United States and received the Joint Chiefs of Staff Distinguished Public Service Award.  He has five times received the Department of Defense’s highest civilian decoration, the Distinguished Service Medal.  He is co-author of The Defense Revolution and Shakespeare In Charge and author of Augustine’s Laws and Augustine’s Travels.  He holds 25 honorary degrees and was selected by Who’s Who in America and the Library of Congress as one of “Fifty Great Americans” on the occasion of Who’s Who’s fiftieth anniversary.  He has traveled in 107 countries and stood on both the North and South Poles of the earth.

SENATOR BOB GRAHAM

Senator Bob Graham is the former two–term governor of Florida and served for 18 years in the United States Senate. This is combined with 12 years in the Florida legislature for a total of 38 years of public service. As Governor and Senator, Bob Graham was a centrist, committed to bringing his colleagues together behind programs that served the broadest public interest. He was recognized by the people of Florida when he received an 83% approval ranking as he concluded eight years as Governor. Bob Graham retired from public service in January 2005, following his Presidential campaign in 2004.

Bob Graham is recognized for his leadership on issues ranging from healthcare and environmental preservation to his ten years of service on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence — including eighteen months as chairman in 2001–2002. Following the release of the Joint Inquiry’s final report in July 2003, Senator Graham steadfastly advocated reform of the intelligence community and sponsored legislation to bring about needed changes. In the fall of 2004 Senator Graham authored “Intelligence Matters” based upon his experiences gleaned during the joint inquiry and his analysis of the run up to the Iraq war.

After retiring from public life, Senator Graham served for a year as a senior fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government where he lectured to undergraduate, graduate and executive management students. His primary focus was on civic education and intelligence issues, which continue to be of great importance to him.

Senator Graham was recently appointed by the President to serve as Co-Chair of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.  The Commission’s task is to examine the root causes of the oil disaster and to develop recommendations for guarding against, and mitigating the impact of, future oil spills associated with offshore drilling.

Senator Graham also currently serves as a Commissioner on the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, established by Congress to examine the global and domestic causes of the recent financial crisis.  The Commission will provide its findings and conclusions in a final report due to Congress on January 27, 2011.

Furthermore, Senator Graham recently served as the Chairman of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism whose mandate was to build on the work of the 9/11 Commission and complete a critical task: to assess the nation’s progress in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, and to provide a roadmap to greater security with concrete recommendations for improvement. The Commission’s report, “World At Risk,” was published in the Fall of 2008.  Currently he serves as co-chairman of the WMD Center a 501c3 not for profit research organization which continues the work of the Commission.

In addition to his commission related activities, Senator Graham also serves as a member of the CIA External Advisory Board.  As a member, Senator Graham serves an informal advisor to the Director and other senior leaders of the Agency.

Senator Graham is also the author of a new book about civic participation, entitled “America: The Owner’s Manual.”  The goal of the book is to provide ordinary people with the means and motivation to go out and influence decision makers in order to achieve positive change in their neighborhoods and communities.

Senator Graham has also been a regular contributor to National Public Radio’s Morning Edition, a frequent guest on CNN, Fox and MSNBC news, and has authored numerous opinion editorials for newspapers. Since retirement, his commentaries have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, The Financial Times, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Charlotte Observer, Washington Times, Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel, St. Petersburg Times, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sarasota Herald Tribune, Gainesville Sun, Palm Beach Post, Tallahassee Democrat and the Tampa Tribune.

Senator Graham serves as the chair of the Board of Overseers of the Graham Center for Public Service. This Center, with a home at the University of Florida, commenced programs in the fall of 2007 in the areas of Public Service, Homeland Security, and The Americas, subjects in which he has been deeply involved during his public career.

Since his retirement, Senator Graham has been recognized by national and Florida organizations for his public service. These include:

• The Woodrow Wilson Institute award for Public Service
• The National Park Trust Public Service award
• The Everglades Coalition Hall of Fame
• The Florida Homebuilders Hall of Fame
• The largest bridge in Florida, constructed while he was Governor, was renamed the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge
• LeRoy Collins Lifetime Leadership Award from Leadership Florida
• An honorary doctorate of public service from his alma mater, the University of Florida.
• Honorary doctorate from Pomona College
• Honorary doctorate from Nova Southeastern University
• Honorary member of the American Society of Landscape Architects

Bob and Adele have returned to their home in Miami Lakes, Florida, and are enjoying more time with their four daughters and eleven grandchildren.

LINDA HUDSON

Linda Parker Hudson is Chairman and CEO of The Cardea Group. As the first woman to lead a major national security corporation, Ms. Hudson has transformed careers, companies and industries. Through her innovative leadership Ms. Hudson has turned around failing enterprises, strengthened her companies’ competitiveness in changing markets, structured portfolios through M&A and organic actions, and shaped cultures to attract, develop and retain key talent.

Prior to founding The Cardea Group, Linda served as President and CEO of BAE Systems, Inc. until Jan. 2014, where she led a global, U.S.-based defense, aerospace, and security company, wholly owned by London-based BAE Systems plc, with approximately 40,000 employees and $12.75 billion in annual revenue.​ She also served as an executive director on the BAE Systems, Inc. and BAE Systems plc board of directors. Prior to becoming CEO, Linda was president of BAE Systems’ Land & Armaments operating group, the world`s largest military vehicle and equipment business, with operations around the world. Before joining BAE Systems, she served for seven years as an officer and vice president of the General Dynamics Corporation and was president of General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products. ​

​Linda held a variety of senior management positions in engineering, production operations, program management, and business development during a period of significant consolidation in the defense industry. Beginning her career with the Harris Corporation and Ford Aerospace, she led organizations at Martin Marietta through the Lockheed Martin merger and a subsequent divestiture to General Dynamics.

​​​Selected to receive the USO’s 2011 Woman of the Year Distinguished Service Award, Linda has received numerous accolades and recognitions for her professional accomplishments and philanthropic activities. Recognized as an innovative leader and trailblazer, she has been featured in numerous periodicals such as the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Forbes. The London Sunday Times proclaimed her “the first lady of defense.”

Currently, Linda is a director on the boards of the Bank of America, Southern Company and Ingersoll Rand. She currently serves on the non-profit boards of the University of Florida Foundation, Wake Forest University Charlotte Center, and Center for a New American Security, a bipartisan national security think tank. She is a member of the International Women’s Forum and C200, the premier global organization of women business leaders.  Linda received C200’s 2011 Luminary Award for Corporate Innovation. She has been cited as one of Fortune Magazine`s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business and one of Washingtonian Magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Women in Washington.Washington Business Journal has named her one of its Power 100 and one of the Most Admired CEOs. She was inducted into the Washington Business Hall of Fame in Dec. 2013. Also in 2013, Linda received the Association of the US Army’s Dixon award for her industry leadership and contribution to national security. The Charlotte Business Journal honored her with their Lifetime Achievement Award in June 2015.​

A graduate of the University of Florida, Linda earned her bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering with honors. She remains active in the alumni and athletic associations and serves on advisory boards for the College of Engineering. Honored as a Distinguished Alumnus, Linda also is a member of the Industrial and Systems Engineering Hall of Fame. She holds an honorary doctorate in engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and received an honorary doctorate in science from the University of Florida in December 2014.

MICHAEL A. LEWIS

Michael Lewis has served as senior vice president, Energy Delivery, Progress Energy Florida since January 2008.

Lewis began his career with Florida Power, now known as Progress Energy Florida, in 1986 where he held various engineering positions and became Florida Power’s youngest district manager at age 27 in 1989.  He was the distribution operations manager in Pasco County in 1994, general manager for the South Coastal Region in 1997 and regional vice president of both the North and South Coastal regions in 2000.  He became vice president of Distribution in 2004.

Lewis received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Florida and earned his master’s degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Pinellas Education Foundation, Junior Achievement of West Central Florida, United Way of Tampa Bay, The American Red Cross Tampa Bay Chapter, Eckerd Youth Alternatives and Eckerd Community Alternatives.

BILL TRONER

Bill Troner graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering with High Honors from the University of Florida in 1980. He worked for General Electric as an Engineer from 1980 ‐1982. He then returned to UF to attend law school and graduated from the University of Florida with a JD with Honors in 1984. Bill joined the Washington D.C. law firm of Barnes & Thornburg in 1984 and worked there until 1986, upon which he joined the legal department at Harris Corporation in Melbourne, Florida as in-house patent counsel. At Harris Corporation he served as Sector Intellectual Property and Licensing Counsel for both the Semiconductor and Communications Sector. In 1992 he helped initiate the patent licensing program at Harris Semiconductor. Bill left Harris Corporation in 1995 to form his own patent licensing company, Andre’‐Troner LC where he currently serves as a managing partner. He and his partners have represented primarily large entities including Harris Corporation, Kodak, Stanford University and Cypress Semiconductor and have raised over a billion and a half dollars in revenue for their clients. Bill is a member of the Florida Bar, the Patent Bar, the American Bar Association, and the American Intellectual Property Law Association. Among other volunteer services, Bill is Co-Chair of the Development Committee of the Deans Advisory Board at the University of Florida as well as a guest lecturer in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering Innovation Class.  In his community, Bill also serves on the board of the Health First Foundation.  Bill and his wife of 24 years, Lisa, have a son who is now a junior in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida.

BILL WADSWORTH

Bill Wadsworth graduated from the University of Florida with honors with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1976, and from Florida State University in 1981 with a master’s in business administration. He spent nearly 30 years serving in executive roles at the top-ranked and 100+-year-old global design firm HDR, Inc.  He started with HDR as a business development manager, then became the local manager in Tampa, then expanded to manage the state of Florida, then the southeast, then the east coast. He served as executive vice president and director of business development, and later retired as executive vice president and deputy director of operations worldwide.

Prior to HDR, Bill worked as a program manager for Wayne H. Coloney Company, Inc., and as a senior project manager and engineer of professional services at the Florida Department of Transportation.

A main focus to Bill’s leadership has involved planning for long-term success by ­training talented engineers to be prepared for leadership roles. In his retirement, Bill has partnered with the University of Florida Engineering Leadership Institute to help continue this work with educating students. He serves on the advisory board for the institute, and as a visiting adjunct instructor.