Anthony Adams, a serial entrepreneur and tech executive with decades of experience in STEM-related fields, is the newest member of the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board of Directors.
The University’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved Adams’ appointment, making him the first member who is also the parent of a Florida Poly alum. His son, Austin Adams ’22, was a Presidential Ambassador who, after earning his degree in business analytics, accepted a full-time position at Rocket Lab in California, where he currently works as a material planner for Electron Avionics.
“I can talk to prospective donors from the standpoint of being an extremely proud Florida Poly parent. My son started out in another university in California and paying an insane amount of money, but he wasn’t even prepared for an internship,” said Anthony Adams, who is retired and lives with his family in Winter Garden, Florida. “He then came to Florida Poly and not only received a great internship at Lockheed Martin, but he received multiple job offers, all based on the education and experience he obtained at Florida Poly.”
Adams has an extensive professional background that includes serving in executive roles such as CEO, CIO, CTO, COO, founder, and vice president at dotLuxury, TapClicks, Robb Report, Ziff Davis, United Business Media, and Marconi PLC in Silicon Valley. Most recently, he was founder and publisher of Winter Garden Lifestyle magazine. He is also a Marine veteran and has served on the boards for Project Lead the Way, Orange County California Public Schools, and the American Legion.
As a Florida Poly Foundation Board member, Adams said his priorities will focus on helping grow awareness of the University, attracting more businesses around campus, and supporting student entrepreneurialism.
“In a lot of ways, Florida Poly is the best kept secret, which means we’re not very well known outside the state. I’d like the board to foster programs to extend the reach of the University nationally and internationally,” he said. “On a curriculum-to-curriculum basis, I would put Florida Poly on par with universities like Stanford, MIT, and Georgia Tech. At producing equipped graduates to go into the workforce, I think Florida Poly is doing an equal, if not a better job.”
The Florida Poly Foundation Board of Directors works closely with University leadership to align fundraising efforts with Florida Poly’s mission and future path. The board comprises community leaders and industry experts who work to fuel dreams, boost the economy, and grow Florida Poly’s position as a leader in high-tech education.
“With Anthony’s professional experience and being a parent of a Florida Poly alum, he will bring a valuable and impactful perspective to the board of directors,” said Kathy Bowman, Florida Poly’s vice president of advancement and the Foundation’s CEO. “We are honored to welcome him as we work together to provide even stronger and broader financial support for the University.”
