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Nowhere is the spirit of innovation more evident than in the Florida High Tech Corridor.
A 23-county region spanning from Florida’s Sun Coast to Space Coast, The Corridor is a place where research and innovation thrive. Chaired by presidents of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF), the Florida High Tech Corridor Council drives progress in the region.
Our mission is to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and the workforce to support it. We envision a 23-county Florida High Tech Corridor region with a high-wage, high-value economy that leads the nation and world in technology invention and innovation.
History
In 1996, a small team of the area’s leaders recognized the need for a more comprehensive proposal to secure the future expansion of a semiconductor plant in Orlando. To offset funding offered by its competitors, they engaged UCF and USF to develop a package that would facilitate research partnerships benefiting the company and industry over the next decade. The team’s success led to the founding of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council (initially the “I-4 High Tech Corridor Council”) and the creation of a model for its Matching Grants Research Program, which would grow through the years to generate more than $1 billion in economic impact.
Dr. John Hitt, who was president of UCF at the time, played a key role in The Corridor Council’s formation. Pointing at a nighttime satellite image of the lights along Florida’s I-4 corridor, he predicted the region (which already housed more than half of the state’s population) would continue to grow.
He was right.
Leadership
Recognized by numerous scientific and economic development organizations for its achievements, The Corridor Council exists to help partners realize their role in the broader scope of regional economic development, foster mutually beneficial relationships to solve problems and address community needs, and celebrate success when these partnerships prove fruitful.
Chaired by presidents of UCF, USF and UF, The Corridor Council also includes representatives from the region’s 14 state and community colleges and nearly two dozen representatives of high tech industry. Council members describe their relationship as a competitive partnership in which each must “leave their ego and their logo at the door.”
Chief Executive Officer
Rear Adm. Paul Sohl (USN Ret)
Council Co-Chairs
Dr. Alexander N. Cartwright, President, University of Central Florida
Dr. Steve Currall, President, University of South Florida
Dr. Kent Fuchs, President, University of Florida
Council Members
Dr. Randy Avent, President, Florida Polytechnic University
Dr. Timothy Beard, President, Pasco-Hernando State College
Thomas Campbell, Director of Innovation, Space and Intelligence Systems, Harris Corporation
Carol Craig, Founder & CEO, Craig Technologies
Kevin Darrenkamp, Vice President and General Counsel, Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control
Raymond “Duke” Duquette, President & General Manager, CAE USA Military Simulation & Training
Scott Faris, Chief Business Officer, Luminar Technologies
George Gordon, President and CEO, LumaStream
Paul Grimes, Vice President and Division Manager, Leidos Engineering
Sara Hale, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, CoastalCloud
Geary Havran, President, NDH Medical Inc.
Captain Tim Hill, USN Commanding Officer (Advisory Member), Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD)
Daryl Holt, Vice President/Head of Operations, EA SPORTS
James Jardon, President and CEO, JHT Inc.
Timothy Main, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jabil Circuit Inc.
Dr. Dwayne McCay, President, Florida Institute of Technology
H. Lee Moffitt, Former Speaker, Florida House of Representatives, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
Dr. James Richey, President, Eastern Florida State College
David Robinson, Founder and CEO, DSM Technology Consultants
Sue Washer, CEO, Applied Genetic Technologies Corp.
Council Members Emeritus
Randolph Berridge, Founding President, Florida High Tech Corridor Council Inc.
Dr. John Hitt, President (Retired), University of Central Florida
George Mezo, Senior Director (Retired), Oracle Corporation
Richard Nunis, Chairman Emeritus, Walt Disney Attractions
Dr. Peter Panousis, Emeritus Dean, University of Central Florida College of Sciences
Joanie Schirm, President (Retired), Geotechnical and Environmental Consultants Inc.
Beverly Seay, Trustee, University of Central Florida
General Stephen Seay, U.S. Army (Ret.), Director of Leadership and Career Development Strategies, University of Central Florida Athletics
Owen Wentworth, Workforce Committee Director, Florida High Tech Corridor Council Inc.
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