The Florida Tech Career Hall of Fame

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.

Karen Britton, former White House chief information officer (CIO) and special assistant to President Barack Obama, leads strategy development and execution of LMI's corporate communications with a focus on its digital presence. She oversees a team responsible for online platforms, marketing and branding, external relations, and corporate citizenship.  

Previously serving as LMI’s vice president of digital services, Karen directed the delivery of enterprise-wide IT solutions to federal customers. Before joining LMI, she served as chief operating officer of woman-owned IT solutions provider e‑Management and helped expand its federal market practice.  

Karen joined the Office of Administration, Executive Office of the President, as deputy CIO in July 2009; she served as special assistant to the president and CIO from December 2012 to December 2014. During her White House tenure, she spearheaded innovative ways to deliver the president’s message to the American people. She also supported his cybersecurity agenda, protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of unclassified information systems.

Beginning her career as a general engineer with the Submarine Maintenance Engineering, Planning, and Procurement Activity at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Karen subsequently joined the Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters. She held positions of increasing responsibility, culminating as deputy command information officer directing command-wide IT planning, policy, and budget. She left the Department of the Navy in 2007 to support capital planning implementation and enterprise architecture plan development for the Department of Energy.

Karen received her bachelor’s in industrial engineering and operations research from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and her master’s in management from the Florida Institute of Technology. She is a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College and the Excellence in Government Fellows Program. Karen has received distinguished honors, including the Partnership for Public Service Leadership in Action Awards, the National Women of Color in Technology Awards, and the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

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.

Dale Dettmer obtained his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 1967 and Florida Institute of Technology in 1971, respectively; and a Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of Florida in 1973. Additionally, he is a member of the University of Florida Law Review.  

Dettmer is a member of the Florida Bar and the Brevard County Bar Associations, the Tax Section and the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar. Additionally, he is admitted to practice in the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, and the United States Tax Court. His practices are focused on business law, real estate, and estate planning. Mr.Dettmer is “AV” rated by Martindale Hubbell, which is the highest rating for legal ability and ethics, and board-certified taxation by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education. 

Dale is past Chairman and a member of the Board of Trustees of Florida Institute of Technology. He also served as chair of the board of Health First Foundation Inc. and the Community Foundation of Brevard Inc. He was a member of the board of directors of BankFirst and The BankShares, and served as president and member of the board of directors of the Melbourne Kidney Center Inc.  

Dale is married to Pamela Joan Dettmer and has three children.  

His giving to Florida Tech includes the establishment of the Detmer Family Scholarship Fund and annual sponsorship for the Evening of Hope in support of the Scott Center for Autism. 

How did Florida Tech help prepare you for your career? 

A STEM education at Florida Tech teaches problem-solving skills by breaking down complex issues into a series of simple steps leading to real solutions. 

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

Master your studies as you progress as a solid academic base serves one well in divergent applications that will certainly be encountered.

Who was your favorite faculty member? 

Dr. Harry Weber.

What was your most memorable experience at Florida Tech? 

Attending the Olin Foundation press conference announcing its $50 million gift as “out of all of the schools in the country that were considered, Florida Tech is best positioned to maximize its potential with this gift”  (Not really a quote but it is as I remember it).

What accomplishments are you most proud of?  

Becoming the first alum to serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Florida Tech.

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

Upon deciding that I did not wish to pursue a career as an electrical engineer, I changed course and attended law school.  For me, the practice of law is not work, it’s fun.  The decision was not easy as there was no promise that a legal career would result in happiness – but it did.  

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

Chart your own course and be ready to adjust as time goes by.

How do you view the future of Florida Tech?  

The future of Florida Tech is very bright as it continues to focus on excellence in STEM education.  This results in jobs for our graduates and builds a strong America.

Mr. Dunsmore is the Founder and CEO of The Digital Truth LLC, a consulting business that helps companies achieve transformational growth. He has been operating The Digital Truth since June, 2016.  Mr. Dunsmore retired as Chairman and CEO of Digi International in December, 2014. Mr. Dunsmore joined Digi in October 1999 as President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors, and was elected Chairman of the Board in May 2000. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Dunsmore had been Vice President of Access for Lucent Microelectronics, a telecommunications company now known as Agere Systems Inc. From 1995 to 1998, he was a Vice President at U.S. Robotics. Prior to that, Mr. Dunsmore held various marketing management positions at AT&T Paradyne Corporation from 1983 to 1995. Mr. Dunsmore is also a board director TreeHouse, a nonprofit organization, and was on the Advisory Committee for the University of Northern Iowa School of Business for 12 years. Mr. Dunsmore was a board director at Analysts International Corporation from 2009 until the company was sold in 2013.  Mr. Dunsmore holds a BA from the University of Northern Iowa and an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology.

How did Florida Tech help prepare you for your career?

Florida Tech was the best educational experience I had in my life. Pursuing my master's degree while working enriched the educational experience and made it very real-world and relevant. Florida Tech enhanced my effectiveness at work and my work enhanced my educational process at Tech.

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

Find the intersection of what you are really good at and what you are really passionate about. 

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Earlier in my career, it was more about getting the next promotion and achieving the next milestone. However, the things that I have derived the most satisfaction from are associated with helping people and companies achieve and accomplish beyond even their own expectations.

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

There are too many failures to count. The most important thing is to acknowledge the failure, learn something, and move on.

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

Something Robert Waller taught me that he called “the value of the small increment”.

The basic principle is …..if you work even 1/4% harder and smarter than your competition every single day, the compounding value of that tiny increment will create a significant competitive advantage for you over the long term”.  If you can find that intersection of what you are best at and most passionate about and apply “ the value of the small increment” principle you will likely have a fun, interesting, and successful career.

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!   

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.

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.

Dr. Raymond “Tipper” Rumpf is a Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). He joined UTEP in 2010 to form the EM Lab where he has led a team of students to develop revolutionary technologies enabled by digital manufacturing. Rumpf’s research produced an array of significant breakthroughs in electromagnetics, photonics, and 3D printing that have earned his lab international recognition and accolades. His breakthroughs include spatially-variant lattices, new ways to control light, tightest bend of an optical beam, new ways to sculpt electromagnetic fields around electrical components, highest power frequency selective surface, thinnest dielectric antenna, automation of hybrid 3D printing and the first-ever 3D volumetric electric circuit. Rumpf is working with his business partner and best friend to commercialize some of these technologies through their business, Kraetonics LLC.

Before joining UTEP, Dr. Rumpf was the Chief Technology Officer for Prime Research LC in Blacksburg, Virginia. Rumpf helped the company transform its technology portfolio from strictly fiber optic sensors to an array of technologies for extreme applications. Before Prime, Rumpf was a Principal Investigator for Harris Corporation where he researched and developed technologies for radically miniaturizing communications systems. Dr. Rumpf has published dozens of peer-reviewed journal articles and has been awarded over a dozen United States Patents. He also holds five world records for skydiving.

Dr. Rumpf has been recognized for his commitment to students and excellence in teaching through numerous awards including the prestigious University of Texas Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, the Dean Eugene Thomas Award for Outstanding Faculty Member, the BUILDing SCHOLARS & COE Mentoring Award, multiple Dean’s Awards for Teaching and the Miguel Izquierdo Endowment for Outstanding Teaching. His research has been equally recognized with a DARPA Young Faculty Award, Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research, Best Photonics Technology by Opli Magazine, the Shellenger Professorship in Electrical Research, and numerous feature articles covering his breakthroughs.

Dr. Rumpf earned his BS and MS in Electrical Engineering from Florida Tech in 1995 and 1997 respectively, and his PhD in Optics from the University of Central Florida in 2006. He serves as an Associate Editor for SPIE Optical Engineering and is active in outreach and mentoring of students in developing nations.  Rumpf developed a series of online courses, has made these freely available on EMPossible.net, and coaches hundreds of students from all parts of the world through the content.  He is a Fellow of SPIE, Senior Member of IEEE, and member of OSA and ARRL.

Dr. Rumpf currently lives in El Paso, Texas, with his wife, two children and his dog Ardie.

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."