Florida Tech President John Nicklow is joining the honor roll illuminating the Sunshine State’s top decisionmakers. Nicklow is named to the 2025 edition of Florida Trend magazine’s Florida 500, touted as a who’s who of the state’s most influential business leaders.
Nicklow is one of only 31 honorees from the education sector.
“It is Florida’s premier Rolodex,” wrote Florida Trend president and publisher David Denor when introducing the list. “It provides readers with insight and information on Florida’s most influential industry leaders who are helping to lead and drive Florida forward.”
“Bringing fresh faces and fresh energy to the list is a high priority, and our team works throughout the year to identify worthy candidates,” wrote Amy Keller, Florida Trend executive editor.
Since arriving in 2023, Nicklow has led efforts to craft visionary strategic and master plans for Florida Tech, ensuring the university’s STEM focus continues to provide students with exceptional educational experiences and employers with a robust talent pipeline. Building partnerships has been a primary focus.
“Businesses know what skills they want in future employees, so let’s enhance their engagement with universities and the college-to-career path for our graduates to better shape programs and outcomes for those specific industry needs,” Nicklow said. “Expanding and enhancing transformative partnerships is not just important, it’s necessary.”
Nicklow earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Arizona State University, where he was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Alumni at the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment. He is a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a diplomate of the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers.
A registered professional engineer and a certified professional hydrologist, Nicklow began his career as an engineering officer with the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. He and his wife, Stacy Nicklow, Ph.D., have one son, Ethan.
