The Florida Tech Career Hall of Fame

David Mecartney, driven by a childhood dream of becoming a pilot and escaping the harsh Chicago winters, matriculated at Florida Institute of Technology in 1978 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Flight Technology & Aviation Management. He obtained all his of his flight ratings including a CFI. Due to an economic recession dampening the prospects of becoming a commercial pilot, he pursued a career as a consultant. After graduating in 1982, Mr. Mecartney was employed as an entry level planner at BNP Associates, Inc., a worldwide consulting firm specializing in the design of baggage handling, cargo handling, security screening, and parcel handling systems related to airports.

When he started at BNP, the company had a single office in Stamford, CT with only 7 employees. After working his way through the company, he became President of BNP in 1995, and has since grown and proliferated the company to employ over 100 personnel across multiple offices around the world. Under David’s leadership, BNP has provided consultancy services to some of the largest airports in the world, including Singapore, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, and Orlando. While President, he continued to pursue his passion for flying, acquiring initially a Skyhawk, moving to a Saratoga, a couple of Meridians, two Mustangs and now flies his own Cessna Citation CJ3+. Along with flying, David also endeavors several philanthropic interests, especially support for Colorado Children’s Hospital. His interests include golf and road biking.

David has three children and currently lives in Jackson Hole, WY.

Jim has grown businesses and commercialized several technologies in venture capital and corporate environments. As an executive and board director, he played roles in corporate governance, created and successfully implemented growth strategies for multiple energy service companies.  

He led Prometheus Energy to become one of North America’s largest and fastest growing suppliers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the industrial sector. Jim is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Board Director for Stabilis Energy, LLC, a market leader in LNG production and distribution services in North America.

How did Florida Tech help prepare you for your career? 

FIT provided me a solid technical foundation for future professional growth and a methodology for critical thinking and problem solving. 

What advice or words of wisdom do you have for students and recent graduates?  

Stay confident, take initiative, be tenacious and never refuse an opportunity to learn more and take on more responsibility, even when it stretches you beyond your known capacity.

What was your most memorable experience at Florida Tech? 

There were many, it’s hard to say as many fun memories and others I appreciated much more after they were over.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?  

In my career. I was asked by one of  the largest international energy company to build a high tech energy services company. The mission was to take intellectual property developed in their research department, lead a team to engineer a sophisticated platform of data acquisition products and services, commercialize it in the marketplace which led to a successful company sale.

What was the most difficult challenge or failure that you had to overcome in your career? 

I think the most difficult challenge was balancing completion of my education with taking care of family and having a full time career!  I had tremendous support from my spouse, family and mentors at work.  

If you were contacted by a student or recent graduate—what could you offer them?  

Any advice, support or a job if I had the opportunity and need given the right degree.

Mary (Cathy) Dickens retired after a 37 year career as a civilian manager with the U.S. Army and joined COLSA in July 2015.  Prior to departing Civil Service, Ms. Dickens was the Deputy to the Commanding General, US Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM), Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. In this position, she managed a multifaceted and diverse organization with an annual budget of over $18 Billion and a global workforce of over 9,000 military and civilian employees.

Prior to that position, she served as the Principal Assistant Responsible for Contracting and Executive Director of ACC-Redstone managing and directing an acquisition program consisting of contract awards of $25 Billion annually and active contracts of $110 Billion.

As Senior Vice President of Business Management Operations at COLSA Corporation, Ms. Dickens is responsible for providing executive leadership and oversight in the financial, human resources, contracting, subcontracting, proposal and pricing functions. Her organization provides business services across all programs and geographical locations. Ms. Dickens serves in a key role in providing financial stewardship and overall compliance in the business functions with a focus on driving efficiencies and continued growth. She leads the efforts in business growth through the proposal process, working with Government and Industry partnerships.  She plays a key role in developing and leading strategic planning initiatives for COLSA Corporation.     

Ms. Dickens was recognized with 3 Civilian Meritorious Service Awards, the AUSA Civilian of the Year Award, the Secretary of the Army Specialized Contracting Award, the Frank S. Besson Award, the Knight of the Honorable Order of St. Michael and numerous commendations for outstanding contributions during her career with the Army.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Athens State University and a Master’s of Science degree in Management from Florida Institute of Technology.  

Ms. Dickens serves as the Board Chair for the Athens State University Board of Trustees and as a member of the AUSA Civilian Advisory Committee. She is a member of AUSA, NCMA, NDIA and the Army Aviation Association of America.

Ms. Dickens has two married sons, two grandsons and a granddaughter.

How did Florida Tech help prepare you for your career? 

My education at Florida Tech was invaluable in broadening my knowledge and preparing me for senior level management positions.  The courses provided and the interaction with other students and my instructors, as well as the course material provided me with an ability to openly examine new ideas and think strategically.  

What advice or words of wisdom do you have for students and recent graduates?  

Find a career that drives your passion.  Do not settle for a “job.”  When you are passionate about what you do, you make a difference! 

What was your most memorable experience at Florida Tech? 

My most memorable experience was actually how the instructors worked with me to insure I received a quality education, but could continue to balance my career and family.  So many of the instructors provided advice and worked with me when I had to travel for my job.  

What accomplishments are you most proud of?  

I am proud to have had the opportunity to support our military throughout my career.  The military and their families sacrifice so much for our country.  I have spent my career in support of systems and services for our military and the space program.  Both are vital to our nation.  My first career was as an Army Civilian in the Federal Sector where I rose to the rank of Senior Executive Service and was the first female deputy to the Commanding General for the US Army Aviation and Missile Command.  I continue to serve in my second career with COLSA Corporation where we support the military and NASA in a broad range of technical and engineering services.  

What was the most difficult challenge or failure that you had to overcome in your career? 

I think the most difficult challenge was balancing completion of my education with taking care of family and having a full time career!  I had tremendous support from my spouse, family and mentors at work.  

If you were contacted by a student or recent graduate—what could you offer them?  

Never give up on becoming the best you can be through education, experience and self-reflection.  Always look for ways you can make a difference and pay it forward when you reach your goals and dreams.  

Can you have it all as a female…family, career, and success? 

Yes , you can do it, but it takes commitment, passion, drive, faith and most of all people who will support you and if you are blessed enough to reach those dreams, you have a responsibility to give back, reach back and help others!   

Ken Capp’s career with Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) began in 1981.  At that time, getting power in your home in Southern Maryland was not taken for granted as it is today.

Through these years, Ken worked to support many different facets of the electric distribution system including commercial service design and residential subdivision design.  He quickly moved into computer based electric system modeling and power line carrier communications for load management.  Ken advanced into management of work in distribution, transmission, substation and solar systems.  He also was responsible for the construction and operations of various communications systems including SCADA, fiber and microwave communication networks, and most recently the full deployment of the two-way automated metering infrastructure (AMI).  Ken has been managing the Engineering & Operations Department since 2003.

Ken’s career at SMECO culminated in his serving now as the Sr. Vice President – Engineering & Operations, and Chief Operating Officer. In this role, he is responsible for the engineering, operations, construction, and maintenance of SMECO’s transmission and distribution plant.  He is also a key member of the team which manages SMECO’s wholesale power portfolio.  Ken is a past member of the ReliabilityFirst Board of Directors and past chairman.  His tenure with ReliabilityFirst began in December of 2005 and ended in November of 2019.  Ken also served on the Board of the St. Mary’s Nursing and Rehabilitation center from 2006 through 2016.  He currently serves as co-Chair of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Technical Advisory Committee to the Power Plant Research Program.

How did Florida Tech help prepare you for your career?

“Florida Tech delivered to me an abundant understanding of complex math, physics and economics that enabled my development in the electric power industry.”

What advice or words of wisdom do you have for students and recent graduates?

“Never be deterred by those things that are not understood at the first glance.  Ask yourself questions and find answers or apply potential solutions until issues are resolved.  And never forecast failure.  Instead take actions to mitigate the risks that are identified in pursuit of success!”

What was your most memorable experience at Florida Tech?

“Viewing the cobalt source in the underwater storage facility next to the engineering building.”

What was the most difficult challenge or failure that you had to overcome in your career?

“I needed to overcome self-righteous indignation in order to successfully lead others in our evolving business.”

If you were contacted by a student or recent graduate—what could you offer them?

Confidence.  Everyone should have the understanding that as long as you are willing to take the time to explore those things that are not understood at first, and seek solutions to each question of the unknown, and understanding will develop with time and effort.  Otherwise known as work.

MG(Ret) Cedric Wins retired from the U.S. Army after serving for over 34 years. During that time, he led soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines in various assignments and as a commander. He is a combat veteran.

Cedric’s last assignment was the commanding general of the U.S. Army Combat Capability Development Command (CCDC) where he led the transformation and organizational realignment of CCDC from the Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM). CCDC is the Army’s largest research & development organization with a mission to discover, develop and deliver technology that produces capability to ensure decisive overmatch in unified land operations for soldiers and the joint warfighter.

He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He holds masters’ degrees in management from the Florida Institute of Technology and in national security and strategic studies from the National War College.

Throughout his career, Wins served on the Army and Joint Staffs in a number of assignments, his last as the Director, Force Development on the Army Staff. During his 34 years of service, he held leadership and staff assignments from the grade of Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel in the field artillery serving in Army Divisions. As a Colonel and General Officer, he led organizations in Army major commands, combatant commands and the Army and Joint staffs.

His operational deployments included a multi-national force and observers mission in the Sinai Egypt; and the NATO training mission for police development in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Cedric was a highly decorated officer during his military career culminating with the Distinguished Service Medal.

What advice or words of wisdom do you have for students and recent graduates? 

"Your career path, life’s plan for you is not without turns and bumps in the road.  It’s not necessary for you to have it all figured out at a young age.  If you do, then great; but many of us don’t.  Its a journey.  My best advice is to develop a plan of what interest you; what are you passionate about?  Set some intermediate goals and every 3-5 years evaluate if you have accomplished them.   Ask yourself the question, “Am I where I wanted to be when I wrote this down as a goal?”  If you are not, adjust and move forward!"

What accomplishments are you most proud of? 

"I am most proud of my 34 years of service to the United States while serving in the Army.  Having not been sure what it was that I wanted to do coming out of college, I was initially proud of being the first in my family to earn a college degree.  Education was important to me and as I learned more, I wanted to continue on that path.  In addition to serving and leading soldiers at many levels, the Army gave me an opportunity to continue to grow and learn in a number of key areas critical to success in both the military and business."

Sanjay is CEO of JLL’s Corporate Solutions business in the Americas. JLL is a world leader in commercial real estate services.

Throughout his career, Sanjay has helped large, complex, global businesses achieve their ambitions through disruptive technology and transformational change. At JLL, his responsibilities include helping clients drive strategic value from their workplaces and portfolios, while helping create a better world for their people, partners and communities.

Previously, Sanjay established and led IBM’s industry-leading Global Cloud Application Services business – focused on cloud technology and cognitive computing to drive digital transformation that not only helps organizations succeed, but dramatically changes the way industries do business. Before that, as a CIO in the automotive industry, he collaborated with C-level executives in numerous corporations around the world on innovation and transformation strategy.

Whether brainstorming one-on-one with corporate leaders, mentoring leaders of tomorrow, or speaking to a large gathering of industry professionals, Sanjay’s ambition is to help others target higher achievement through personal development, digital empowerment and industry transformation.

A regular contributor to industry discussions through media and speaking engagements, Sanjay holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Brila Institute of Technology in Jharkhand, India, a master of science degree in management systems from Florida Tech and a doctorate in management from Walsh College in Troy, MI. His doctoral work extended his practitioner experience into academic research focused on Organizational Transformations.

Outside of JLL, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys golf, is a hiker and considers high-altitude hiking in the Himalayas as one of his greatest adventures.

What advice or words of wisdom do you have for students and recent graduates?

"It is so critical that we reinvent ourselves in our careers, and not be afraid to take risks. Especially today, when digital and social interactions are transforming entire industries, stepping out of comfort zones, and an insatiable appetite to learn are essential skills."

How did Florida Tech help prepare you for your career?

At Florida Tech I found an environment that brought together faculty that blended practitioner experiences with academic acumen into classrooms with a diverse student body. This helped build the foundation of making strategic career choices, and the passionate pursuit of humble leadership.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Like most people, pride as a father and of my family are paramount. I also derived, and do to this day, gratification in completing my doctoral studies mid-career – experience enhanced with the rich heritage and discipline of academia and research provides a differentiated understanding of business.