 Adalio Sanchez |
Adalio T. Sanchez ’87, ChairGeneral Manager Adalio Sanchez is General Manager of IBM’s System x server unit responsible for all facets of IBM’s multi-billion dollar x86 server business, including product development, marketing, sales, operations, and overall financial performance. He is also a member of the IBM Performance Team, a group of the company’s highest senior executive officers. |
| Mr. Sanchez has over 27 years of experience in the information technology marketplace. Mr. Sanchez held the positions of General Manager of IBM Microelectronics, General Manager of IBM’s UNIX server business, General Manager of Storage Networking, General Manger of Manufacturing Operations and Business Transformation for the IBM Personal Systems Group and General Manager of IBM’s Mobile Computing unit. Mr. Sanchez holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Miami and a Masters of Business Administration from Florida International University (FIU). He was named the 2007 U.S. Hispanic Engineer of the Year and has frequently been named to the list of the Top 50 Hispanics in Technology and Business. He is a member of the FIU Foundation Board of Directors, Chairman of the FIU Engineering School Executive Advisory Council, and serves as Chairman of SHPE Advisory Board. | |
 Rony Abovitz |
Rony AbovitzChief Visionary Officer & Co-founder, MAKO Surgical President & CEO, Magic Leap, Inc. Rony Abovitz is the Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) & Co-founder of MAKO Surgical Corp., the world leader in human-interactive robotics for orthopedic surgery. MAKO was ranked No. 1 by Deloitte as 2011’s fastest growing technology company in North America. Rony is also the founder, President & CEO of Magic Leap, Inc., a new technology startup developing the next modality for human – computer interaction and experience. |
| Rony Abovitz has over 17 years of know-how in the technology and med-tech sector, creating companies from scratch, leading cool teams, and launching market changing products and technologies. Rony co-founded MAKO Surgical (NASDAQ:MAKO) in 2004 (spun out of z-kat, inc. which he founded in 1997). Rony served as the Chief Technology Officer and Sr. Vice-President of R&D/Product Development, building the company’s team, assembling the portfolio of over 300+ patents, and leading the development of all of its core products (RIO™ Robotic Platform, RESTORIS® Implants) and technologies. Rony was also a key part of MAKO’s IPO in 2008, one of the only successful IPOs that year. His efforts at MAKO have yielded recognition by the World Economic Forum (Technology Pioneer 2005), 2010 R&D 100 Award, and the Gold Design Award by the MDEA for 2010 (for the RIO Design). The Governor of Florida also visited and recognized MAKO as a key player and job creator in the state in late 2011. MAKO’s human-interactive robotic systems have been featured in MIT Technology Review, Industrial Robot, the Discovery Channel, CBS News, and many other major media outlets worldwide. Rony has presented at major tech and medical conferences around the world and has been an invited lecturer at Harvard/MGH on the topic of robotics. Rony studied mechanical and biomedical engineering at the University of Miami, where he threw javelin for the track & field team, was an indie-rock DJ for WVUM, and was the cartoonist for the school paper. Rony is also a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. Rony also plays guitar and bass and co-wrote a song, “Red Light” which reached top 10 US airplay in commercial and college radio in 2010. | |
 Al Alfonso |
Al Alfonso ’74Vice President, Distribution Al Alfonso is a retired executive of Florida Power & Light Company, a Fortune 250 company and one of the largest investor-owned electric utilities in the nation. Mr. Alfonso has more than 40 years of progressive leadership and management experience with FPL and its sister company, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (formerly FPL Energy, LLC). |
| In his most recent role, he was responsible for the planning, engineering, construction, maintenance and operation of the electrical distribution system that serves the more than 4.5 million customer accounts in FPL’s service territory. Prior to that, Mr. Alfonso was vice president of Power Generation Operations, where he directed the power production activities at FPL’s fossil-fueled generating plants. He also served as vice president of Operations for NextEra Energy Resources, where he was responsible for the operation of international and domestic generation facilities for the non-regulated energy business outside Florida. He also served as plant general manager of two FPL power plants in Miami. Through the years, Mr. Alfonso delivered exceptional leadership and was instrumental in improving the quality of service FPL provides its customers by applying technology to enhance operational performance. He created FPL’s Fleet Performance and Diagnostic Center, which led to Distribution and Transmission’s equivalent centers, all of which deliver critical situational awareness and enable the smart grid. Mr. Alfonso has received numerous accolades. In 1996, the Association of Cuban Engineers named him the “Engineer of the Year”. In 2003 the Miami Dade College inducted him into the Hall of Fame as a distinguished alumni in the field of engineering. He is active in the American Society of Mechanical Engineering’s Industry Advisory Board and the University of Miami’s College of Engineering’s Industry Advisory Board. He also is a member of the American Society of Safety Engineering, the American Institute of Chemical Engineering and the Florida Engineering Society’s Florida Professional Engineers in Industry.Mr. Alfonso holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Florida International University, a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Miami and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University.Mr. Alfonso resides in Palm Beach with his family and will continue to apply his vast experience towards the advancement of higher education for future generations. | |
 Humberto Alonso Jr. |
Humberto P. Alonso Jr.Vice President, District Director Humberto P. Alonso Jr. is responsible for leading the firm’s general business positioning and community involvement activities in South Florida. In this role, Humberto guides the firm’s professionals as they take leadership positions in all areas of professional service and community activities. He is currently the Division Chair of the Domestic Business Development Group of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) and the past Chairman of its Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. |
| Humberto was named a mover in Miami’s transportation industry by South Florida’s weekly newspaper Miami Today. He was recognized for his leadership role in transitioning Miami’s transportation industry into the 21st century. Humberto is a licensed architect with 30 years of experience, including senior management positions with the School Board of Broward County (SBBC) and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). His background includes planning, design and construction of capital projects for public clients and commercial and office development projects for the private sector. Alonso began his career as founder and co-owner of an architectural firm specializing in commercial and office development projects. In addition to his involvement with the GMCC, Humberto is also very involved in the community and has developed strong ties and relationships throughout South Florida. He is a Vice Chair of the United Home Care Services board and a board member of the Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida. He is a past member of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Blue Ribbon Committee on Workforce Housing and past Chairperson of the Biscayne Bay Regional Restoration Coordination Team. Humberto’s 29 years of professional experience span the private and public sector in the areas of commercial development, school planning and construction, water resource planning, regional coordination and transportation. Humberto has a Bachelor Degree in Architecture and a Masters Degree in Business Administration, including membership in The Beta-Gamma-Sigma Honor Society, from the University of Miami. He is also a registered architect in the State of Florida. | |
 Allan Arch |
Allan S. ArchPresident Mr. Allan Arch began his career in the United States Navy, serving as an officer from 1965 to 1968, upon graduation with a degree in engineering from the University of Maine. After active duty, Mr. Arch started working for Southern Gear and Machine Company in 1968 and has been President of Southern Gear since 1972. In 1989 he sold his business to his employees creating an Employee Stock Ownership Plan company. |
| Mr. Arch has served on the Board of Directors of the Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, and several years ago was honored by the University of Maine’s College of Engineering with both induction into their Francis Crowe Society and with the title of Honorary Engineer. Entrepreneur and generous supporter of FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing, Mr. Arch was inducted into the Order of the Engineer at FIU in 1995. Active at FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing for many years, Mr. Arch currently serves on the Industry Advisory Boards of the Departments of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and Industrial and Systems Engineering. He regularly participates as a Judge in departmental senior design projects. He also is active on the Advisory Council of Engineering, the body that represents the interests of the College, industry and engineering communities. Married to his wife Susan for 41 years, they have two grown daughters and two grandchildren. | |
 Robert Carballo |
Robert T. CarballoPresident and CEO As head of the prestigious firm that encompasses the various disciplines necessary for the effective planning, management and design of surface transportation projects, Robert Carballo is an expert in the development of complex transportation planning projects. |
| His expertise extends to marketing and business development in the architectural, engineering, environmental, planning and public relations arenas. His projects include the reconstruction of I-595 from I-75 to west of I-95 in Broward County, the Design Build Finance of the I-95 Express HOT Lanes Conversion in Miami-Dade County, and the upcoming High Speed Rail Study from Miami to Orlando. Robert Carballo makes Miami’s roads safe for us. He earned his Professional Engineer’s license and stays current through continuing education in all phases of transportation planning, environmental and traffic engineering, bridge and structures design, and drainage and hydraulics design. He is past President of the Cuban American Association of Civil Engineers and was an FIU student recipient of their Jose A. Vila Espinosa Scholarship. He is a member of engineering societies and professional organizations that include the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Concrete Institute and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Mr. Carballo is recognized by both academic institutions he has attended. As a proud FIU alumnus with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, he currently serves on the College of Engineering and Computing’s Advisory Council for Engineering. He received his A.A. from Miami Dade College’s Engineering Program, and was inducted into the 2010 Miami Dade College Alumni Hall of Fame. | |
 Alfred de Cardenas |
Alfredo de Cárdenas ’87Chief Operating Officer, Americas Alfred de Cárdenas joined Syniverse in April 2008 and serves as Chief Operating Officer leading a unified organization that ensures Syniverse’s solutions are aligned directly with the needs of its customers. |
| In this role, he is responsible for the direction of Syniverse’s roaming, messaging and network lines of business in addition to the company’s global sales processes, methods, tools and global account coordination. He brought to Syniverse more than 20 years of experience in the global telecommunications industry. Before joining Syniverse, Mr. de Cárdenas was with Nortel Networks, most recently as general manager of converged multimedia networks. He also held a number of other key leadership roles since joining Nortel in 1992, including vice president positions in carrier support and operations, sales, marketing, customer care, and network operations as well as assignments in Colombia and Brazil. He began his career as a senior engineer for Southern Bell. Fluent in English and Spanish, and conversational in Portuguese, Mr. de Cárdenas earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from Florida International University and his master’s of business administration degree from Nova Southeastern University. | |
 Christopher Drumgoole |
Chris DrumgooleSenior Vice President, Client Services Chris Drumgoole is Senior Vice President of Client Services at Terremark where he has responsibility for customer retention, service & Support and sales enablement. Previously, Chris served as SVP Product Development and Engineering. |
| Chris has over 15 years of technology and financial services IT industry experience. He has completed design, architecture and engineering work for large retail trading platforms, high traffic consumer web properties, computing / storage grids and other complex systems. Chris has also completed significant work in the area of commercial data center design and operations. His prior experience includes both leadership and technologist positions with the Toronto Dominion Bank, IBM, MasterCard International, Cable & Wireless and Exodus/Savvis. Chris studied Information Systems at Pace University in New York. | |
 Jay Fraser |
Jay FraserVice President and General Manager Jay Fraser began his career with Turner Construction Company in June 1986 in Turner Construction Company’s Connecticut business unit after graduation from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. |
| Jay worked in the Connecticut office for 18 years prior to transferring to the South Florida office located in Miami to be the Vice President and General Manager. Turner’s South Florida office includes a professional staff of approximately 130 people and an annual volume of construction operations in the $200 to $250 million range primarily in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Upon arrival in South Florida Jay’s goals included continuing the high-profile presence Turner has had for nearly a century, as well as opening new construction management markets for Turner. Of particular focus was the geographic diversification and growth in the areas of health care, education, and the interiors markets throughout the tri-County area. While Turner was a significant education (both k-12 projects as well as higher education) and healthcare builder in South Florida for the past many years Jay’s goals included further penetration in both of those construction markets to more closely parallel what the company is doing across the balance of the United States with offices in 45 other cities. Turner is the leading education and healthcare builder in the nation. Jay and his wife Jessica and four children reside in Weston Florida. | |
 Santiago Galvez |
Santiago GalvezInterim Vice President of Operations Santiago (Santy) Gálvez, is Director at the Cellular Analysis Division of Beckman Coulter in Miami. He is currently serving as interim Vice President of Operations. Santy joined Beckman Coulter in 1990 where he has held various positions all of increasing responsibility in the areas of Research & Development, Project Management, Program Management, Business Development, and Operations. |
| In addition, Santy’s background includes Research & Development as well as Operations Management experience in previous companies. He holds Masters Degrees in Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering and is the holder of several patents in these areas. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors for BioFlorida and also serves on the Florida International University Advisory Council for Engineering (ACE) as well as the Advisory Board for their Biomedical Engineering Department. Santy is an avid sailor currently residing in Miami, Florida with his wife and their three children. | |
 Paul Johnston |
Paul JohnstonVice President Watsco, Inc. Paul Johnston joined Watsco in 2002 as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development and was elected Vice President of the Company in 2008. In 2010 he was elected to the Board of Directors of Carrier Enterprise and was named Chairman in 2011. |
| Paul handles negotiations with over 600 manufacturers for over $1 billion in non-equipment purchases and has responsibility for new product development and introductions. Examples of new products include the introduction of ultra-efficient ductless splits as well as collaborating with Nest Labs on the recently introduced Smart Thermostat. He also leads strategic initiatives for supply chain management, which have improved customer availability and reduced Watsco’s overall facility footprint by almost 1 million square feet. Paul and his team are currently targeting warranty processing costs and providing manufactures insight to reduce the overall costs borne by excessive warranty terms and administration.From 1994 to 2002 Paul was with United Technologies Carrier serving in various marketing and strategic positions including Vice President of Global Residential/Light Commercial Products and Vice President of Distribution for North America.Paul earned a business degree in Marketing from the University of North Dakota. He serves on the Mayor of Miami’s Green Commission and is on the Advisory Board for the College of Engineering and Computing at Florida International University. | |
 danny katz |
Danny Katz ’74Chief Executive Officer Danny Katz, a Veteran of the United States Navy, earned his B.S.B.A. with a major in Accounting from Florida International University. Danny is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with extensive senior management experience in the grocery and distribution industries. |
| His experience was gained through such prestigious companies as Hi-Grade Foods, Ryder Systems, Inc. and the international accounting firm, Laventhol and Horwath, where his major clients included supermarket chains and hospitals. His experience with bar coding and inventory management, particularly the successful development and implementation of computerized order entry systems, propelled him to found DBK Concepts, Inc. in 1988. DBK has flourished to become one of the largest service providers of mobile hand held technology in the US. Danny is a member of both the American Institute and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He also serves the community as an executive board member and financial advisor to his temple and is a charter member of Florida International University’s Council of 100 and works closely with FIU’s School of Engineering. Danny was a finalist for the 2001 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the 2002 and 2003 Cutting Edge Award, has earned 2 Keys to the City of Miami, and was inducted into the 2005 FIU Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame. | |
 Pastor Lopez |
Pastor Lopez ’08Vice President and General Manager Pastor Lopez is Vice President and General Manager of AAR Landing Gear Services, a division of AAR Corporation (NYSE: AIR). Mr. Lopez began his career in aviation in 1986 at Cleveland Pneumatic (now, Goodrich) in Miami, FL. He held a number of positions while at Cleveland Pneumatic from 1986 through 1989. Following his tenure at Cleveland Pneumatic, he advanced to the role of Lead Engineer in 1989 with AAR Landing Gear Services. |
| Between the years of 1989 and 2002, he held various positions in Engineering and Quality. Under his leadership as Vice President Quality between 1999 and 2002, he established and maintained quality control systems and metrics to improve production and the quality of final products to meet the different regulatory requirements such as the Federal Aviation Administration, European EASA, Chinese CAAC, Saudi Arabia PCA, among others. During this time, he successfully implemented ISO 9001 and AS9000 quality systems in a record time of three months. In 2002, he was appointed Vice President and General Manager of AAR Landing Gear Services. He is responsible for the Miami and Malaysian facilities, managing over 380 employees. Additionally, he successfully established a Wheels and Brakes division in 2007 that is experiencing rapid growth as the branding strategy is bearing fruits. He has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Mr. Lopez holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Florida International University. | |
 Carlos Mallol |
Carlos MallolSenior Vice President, Infrastructure Carlos Mallol has 32 years of experience primarily dedicated to the management of engineering companies and large construction projects. His emphasis has been in road and bridge construction and construction management consulting services for public works programs in excess of $1 billion. |
| Dr. Mallol received his initial training in Argentina, where he obtained bachelor degrees in Architecture and in Civil Engineering. He continued his education with graduate studies in the United States, obtaining Master of Science in Engineering Management and Doctor of Business Administration degrees. During the period 1983 to 1992, he was responsible for the management of Florida Roads, a heavy construction company, with significant projects in South Florida. As vice president of operations, he transformed a small construction company into a reputable state-wide contractor actively participating in large infrastructure projects, including complex interchanges and light rail projects. In 1992 he changed careers to join Consul-Tech, a 30-person engineering consulting firm, which under his leadership grew to over 200 employees with eleven offices. As CEO, Dr. Mallol was responsible for overseeing all company activities, merger and acquisitions and all operational and financial aspects of the company. In 2008, Consul-Tech merged with CSA Group, to form an 800-employee organization. He currently serves as Senior Vice President. | |
 Gus Pego |
Gustavo PegoState of Florida District #6 Secretary Gustavo “Gus” Felix Pego, P.E., was appointed District Six Secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation on May 8th 2008. He is responsible for the overall planning, design, construction, maintenance and operations of the State Highway System in Miami Dade and Monroe Counties. He is the steward of a budget exceeding $3 billion in the five year work program with a streamlined staff of 503, carrying out much of the ongoing transportation improvements projects. |
| He is leading a team that is transforming our roadways by enhancing safety and reducing congestion on the State Highway System. Projects such as the Miami Intermodal Center, the SR 826/836 Interchange, and the Port of Miami Tunnel will be reality, just like the district’s Intelligent Transportation System and the 95 Express Managed Lanes projects, which have improved mobility and enhanced travel choices. Gustavo “Gus” Felix Pego, P.E., District Six Secretary, Florida Department of Transportation; A seasoned civil servant of 31 years with the Department of Transportation, Mr. Pego has served the community working through the ranks in positions of increasing levels of responsibility within the district’s systems development and operations divisions. Gus has leaded all recovery efforts in both counties and has always played a key role in restoring our community throughout the devastations sustained by natural disasters, such as Hurricane Andrew. As District Secretary, Mr. Pego serves on the Department’s Executive Board, as a Board Member of the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority (MDX), the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority. He also serves on the Engineering Advisory Boards of the Florida International University and the University of Miami. Mr. Pego actively plays a leading role in the Florida State Employees Charitable Campaign serving on numerous occasions as Co-Chair and Chair with the United Way of Miami-Dade. | |
 Tony Rodriguez |
Antonio RodriguezExecutive Vice President, Power Generation Division Antonio (Tony) Rodriguez is executive vice president of the Power Generation Division of NextEra Energy, Inc. one of the nation’s leading electricity-related services companies. Mr. Rodriguez reports to the president and chief operating officer and directs power production activities for the renewable and fossil-fueled plants of both of NextEra Energy’s principal subsidiaries, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and NextEra Energy Resources. |
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He began his career in 1971 and has many years of managing electricity generation operations, serving as a plant engineer, plant general manager and vice president of fossil operations. Prior to his present responsibilities, Mr. Rodriguez served as vice president of power delivery and was responsible for overseeing the delivery of electricity from all generating sources to the distribution network and wholesale customers through FPL’s transmission system. Mr. Rodriguez received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Miami. He is also a graduate of the program for management development at Harvard University. |
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 Dan Whiteman |
Dan WhitemanPresident Dan Whiteman is President of Coastal Construction Company, one of South Florida’s largest builders with an annual volume of over $400 million. He is a graduate of the University of Florida’s M. E. Rinker Sr. School of Construction, and has an earned Doctorate in Construction Management. In 1984, he was named by the University of Florida as its Distinguished Builder, and elected into their Construction Hall of Fame. |
| He has been a long-time member and supporter of the Association of General Contractors (AGC), having served as President of AGC of Mid-Florida as well as Legislative Chairman of the AGC State Council for four years. He served on the board of directors for the AGC South Florida Chapter and remains an active member.He has been appointed by the Governor’s office to serve on several key construction committees in the State of Florida, including the Workers Compensation Oversight Board, the Radon Commission, and the Building Construction Industry Advisory Council. Dan has taught Construction Management at the University of Florida, the University of Miami, and is currently an Adjunct Professor at Florida International University. Dan serves on the Executive Committee of the Construction Management Department Industry Advisory Council, for which he advises the Department on fiscal and curricular matters and supports the Construction Management Industry Campaign Fund. | |
