Category: Alumni Spotlight

Alumni from the University of Florida have created and guided some of the fastest-growing businesses in the world. The Alumni Association is proud to recognize these amazing business owners and entrepreneurs through the Gator100. Congratulations to our talented Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering alumni who made the 2022 list for leading one of the world’s Fastest Growing Gator Companies!

Rodney Rogers (BS ISE ’87) With more than 30 years in the technology services industry, Rodney Rogers is recognized as a successful serial entrepreneur and expert technologist, known for his leadership contributions in the realization of two back-to-back “unicorns” — startups that achieve billion-dollar valuations. Rogers co-founded Virtustream in 2009, an enterprise cloud computing company, […]

The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering and the Engineering Leadership Institute (ELI) hosted Dr. John L. Anderson, Ph.D., president of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), for the seminar “The Future of Engineering and Computer Science” on February 21. The seminar series brings world-class leaders in industry and academia to UF as part of the engineering leadership development program of the ELI.

Chris Malachowsky (BSEE ’80), NVIDIA Corp. co-founder and a leading force behind the university’s ambitious initiative to become “America’s A.I. University,” is one of the 2022 honorees in the University of Florida’s prestigious Academy of Golden Gators.

Gary J. Miller, Ph.D., (BSME ’70/Ph.D. ’77) was honored at the fall 2021 commencement ceremony with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Distinguished alumnus awards are presented to an alumna or an alumnus of the university who has excelled in their chosen field and have performed outstanding service for the university. Dr. Miller is co-founder and Executive Vice President for Research and Development (Emeritus) of Exactech, Inc., Gainesville, Florida.  Exactech was incorporated in 1985 and develops, manufactures and distributes orthopaedic implants.

The journey from a dream to a new reality

A University of Florida professor emeritus in materials science and engineering who developed an innovative computer chip manufacturing process, and an alumnus in electrical and computer engineering who is a leader at IBM in the application of artificial intelligence to aging issues, are among the 2021 inductees to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame.

Christopher Pernicano (BSME ’89, ME Env. Eng. ’93, MBA ’93), an esteemed alumnus of the UF Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, was recently appointed to the North Florida Hospital District (Broward Health) Board of Commissioners by Governor Ron DeSantis.

UF alumni have created and guided some of the most innovative and profitable businesses in the nation and the world. Each year, the UF Alumni Association, in partnership with the UF Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center recognizes these amazing entrepreneurs with the Gator100 Awards. Congratulations to our talented Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering alumni who made the 2021 list for leading one of the world’s Fastest Growing Gator Companies!

Four Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering alumni have been recognized by the university in this year’s “40 under 40” awards, which honor outstanding young alumni whose achievements positively impact The Gator Nation as they go greater in their communities and professions.