Florida Tech Welcomes Environmental Protection Secretary to Campus March 4

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Institute of Technology announces Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Michael W. Sole as keynote
speaker at its sixth international, interdisciplinary forum, “Sustainability 2009: The Next Horizon,” on March 3-4 on campus. Sole is also an alumnus of
Florida Tech.

The forum will address smart growth and environmental sustainability in an era of rapid climate change. Sole will speak at the March 4 lunch 12:30- 2 p.m.

Sole was named by Florida Governor Charlie Crist as secretary in 2006. He oversees Florida’s environmental regulatory and law enforcement programs, the
acquisition, conservation and management of public lands, including Florida’s award-winning state parks, and the development and regulation of Florida’s
water resources through the state’s five water management districts.

Prior to becoming secretary, Sole served as deputy secretary for Regulatory Programs and Energy, spearheading the 2006 Florida Energy Act, and the
four-year $100 million plan to diversify the state’s fuel supply. Sole also served as the department’s chief of staff and director of the Division of Waste
Management. He was responsible for implementing state and federal laws relating to solid and hazardous waste management, storage tank regulation and
contaminated sites cleanup.

During the Gulf War, Sole served our nation as a captain in the United States Marine Corps. He received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in marine biology
in 1986 from Florida Tech. A long-time advocate for Florida’s environment, Sole began his career in environmental protection in 1991 as a biological
scientist for the Florida Department of Natural Resources. During his years as an environmental manager his responsibilities have ranged from marine turtle
and invasive plant management to beach preservation, wetland protection and petroleum cleanup.

“We are excited about Mike Sole’s return to campus,” said Gordon L. Nelson, dean of Florida Tech’s College of Science. “His talk on energy and climate
change brings a clear focus to the forum and on the issues facing Florida.”

The forum is a collaborative effort of the Florida Tech College of Business, College of Science and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
The public is invited to attend. A conference registration fee of $85 ($25 for students) entitles registrants to attend both daily sessions as well as
luncheons. For those wishing to attend a single day, the daily fee is $50 ($15 for students), which includes lunch. For more information, contact Linda
Ward at (321) 674-7573 or lward@fit.edu. You can also visit http://411.fit.edu/sustainability for additional information on the event and to register
online.