Florida High Tech Corridor Council Recognizes 20 Innovators in High Technology

LAKE MARY, Fla. - April 3, 2013 - PRLog -- HEATHROW, Fla. (April 3, 2013) – In recognition of advancements within numerous high tech industries, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) named 20 pioneers driving cutting-edge technology around the 23-county Corridor region as Faces of Technology 2013.

With its beginnings in 2008, the FHTCC’s Faces of Technology initiative recognizes the efforts of scientists and technologists at organizations that cultivate high tech clusters and innovation within the region.  Twenty of the most forward-thinking doers and tinkerers in the Corridor are recognized for 2013, bringing the total number of “Faces” that have been honored to 100 individuals since the program began.

Some of this year’s “Faces” include:

1.      Dan O’Leary, n-Space, owner – Orlando
•  Develops video games from concept to completion for all major platforms  and most major publishers.

2.      Eva A. Berkes, M.D., FAAAAI, Quorum Innovations, chief scientific officer and vice president of research and development – Sarasota
•Discovers and develops anti-biofilm therapeutics for critical-need patients.

3.      Dr. Raghavan Charudattan, BioProdex, president and CEO – Gainesville
•Researches and develops environmentally friendly products for pest control and environmental protection.

4.      Dr. Rick Hunter, Food Technology Service Inc. (FTSI), CEO – Mulberry
•Develops gamma radiation processes to sterilize various food and non-food items.

5.      Dr. David Fine, GeNO, CEO – Cocoa (Florida location)
•Develops a more user-friendly and portable product that delivers nitric oxide to patients of numerous diseases.

The 20 “Faces” are featured online in the Faces of Technology video library at www.FacesofTechnology.com and in the FHTCC’s annual magazine, florida.HIGH.TECH 2013 (http://read.dmtmag.com/i/110509).

“We are proud to recognize such inquisitive and innovative minds throughout the Corridor,” said Randy Berridge, FHTCC president.  “These individuals represent the strength and ongoing drive of our region’s high tech industry, making it a dynamic area for research, discovery and development.”

Thanks to the efforts of individual Faces of Technology and varied high tech industries, Florida’s High Tech Corridor has become a thriving high tech hub, noted as the nation’s fourth-largest hot spot for high tech jobs in 2012 by Mashable.

About the Florida High Tech Corridor Council
The Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) is an economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF).  The mission of FHTCC is to grow high tech industry and innovation through partnerships that support research, marketing, workforce and entrepreneurship.

A partnership involving more than 20 local and regional economic development organizations (EDOs) and 14 community colleges, the Council is co-chaired by the presidents of UCF, USF and UF.  The Council includes the presidents of two of the community colleges, the president of the Florida Institute of Technology and representatives of high tech industry.

The unique partnership has resulted in a strategic approach to high tech economic development that supports matching funds research, marketing, workforce development and entrepreneurship leveraging governmental, EDO and corporate budgets on a regional rather than local basis.

For more information, visit www.FloridaHighTech.com.