Educators and manufacturers play an integral role in
educating and training the next generation of manufacturers. To acknowledge
their contributions to manufacturing, FLATE has developed a prolific awards
program that recognizes “Rockstars of Manufacturing” who have and continue to
make a significant impact in support of technology education and training
across Florida. This year's nominees for the 2019 FLATE Awards include a
distinguished panel of individuals who for a number of years have made
significant strides in promoting manufacturing and technology education and
training across the state.
At the secondary education level, Michael J. Sargent, an engineering instructor at Lake Wales Charter School will receive the 2019
FLATE Manufacturing Secondary Educator-of-the-Year Award. Originally from
upstate New York, Sargent started his foray into the world of manufacturing as
a mathematics and engineering teacher for Polk County Schools (PCS). While
working for PCS he became the first authorized MSSC instructor for Polk County
high schools. At the time Sargent was tasked with creating Florida's first
nationally accredited manufacturing engineering high school program and related
outreach initiatives through the National Career Academy Coalition. As a result
of his efforts 44 high school students earned the MSSC CPT certification.
Sargent believes “education at the high school level is important as it exposes
students to the diversity of jobs and skills needed to succeed.” As a proponent of increasing female awareness and
presence in the world of engineering, in 2018 Sargent partnered with the
Society of Women Engineers at the University of Central Florida to create a
mentoring program for female high school students to receive guidance and
connections from female engineering students at the University of Central
Florida.
Most recently Sargent is working on establishing a
dual-enrollment program between Lake Wales Charter High School and Polk State
College's Advanced Manufacturing Training Center. This partnership is set to
enable high school students at Lake Wales Charter High School to earn MSSC
certification as well as an Associates in Applied Engineering Technology.
Sargent is working with a coalition of local manufacturing partners to provide
the next generation of skilled workers. When not teaching, he spends time with
his wife and two children. He can also be found teaching scuba diving courses
and/or participating in reef restoration programs.
At the post-secondary level, Ronald D. Eaglin, Ph.D., has been selected for the Distinguished Manufacturing Post-Secondary
Educator-of-the-Year Award. Dr. Eaglin currently serves as the professor
and Chair of the Department of Engineering and Information Technology at
Daytona State College in Daytona, FL. Eaglin has enjoyed a long and illustrious
career both as a distinguished educator and an entrepreneur. His academic
credentials include a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of
South Carolina where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He holds an M.S. and a Ph.D.
in Environmental Engineering from the University of Central Florida. He also
holds a special Honors Degree from South Carolina College. In the academic
sphere, Dr. Eaglin has held several esteemed positions serving as the Associate
Vice President for the College of Technology and Chair of the Engineering
Technology program at Daytona State College (DSC). Prior to joining DSC, Dr.
Eaglin was the Chair of the Engineering Technology program and the Assistant
Dean for Distributed Learning College of Engineering at the University of
Central Florida.
Dr. Eaglin is credited with establishing many academic programs
both at DSC and at UCF. He played a leading role in formulating the curriculum
frameworks for the A.S.E.T specializations in mechatronics and additive
manufacturing at DSC. He has also worked on the ABET accreditation of the BSET
and BSIT degrees at DSC. In addition to his ongoing offices and
responsibilities, Eaglin serves as the coordinator of all engineering
technology class assignment as the statewide course number representative and
is an active member of the Florida Engineering Technology Forum, a statewide
entity responsible for coordination of engineering technology programs across
Florida.
Given his years in academia and the corporate world, Dr.
Eaglin has many accolades under his belt. Dr. Eaglin is a renowned author of
several professional publications, journals and presentations. He is a
recipient of the Christopher Columbus Foundation Award for Innovation in
Homeland Security. He is also among the “Who's Who” of students in American
Universities and College, and has been a long-term member of the Phi Beta Kappa
and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society.
Outside his professional commitments, Eaglin serves as the President of
the Central Florida Adventure Racing club that promotes outdoor activity, health
and fitness for all ages. He is a Central Florida United soccer coach and is a
past president and current member of the Central Florida Orienteering Club.
When it comes to manufacturing education and training,
Michael D. Brewster has occupied a commanding presence and held formidable roles
in promoting excellence in the corporate world of manufacturing. Early last
month, the FLATE Awards committee selected Brewster for the FLATE
Distinguished Partner-of-the-Year award that recognizes key industry
personnel for outstanding contributions to promoted technology education and
career awareness in support of manufacturing across Florida.
Brewster's leadership in the manufacturing arena is rooted in
his longstanding commitment to world-class talent development in the
manufacturing workforce. For Brewster it is all about the people, the faces and
forces behind the world of manufacturing. He believes “a manufacturing company
will only go as far as its employee talent pool will carry it.” Brewster states
job satisfaction in manufacturing comes from leadership commitment to learning
and opportunities for formal training for all employees to reach their full
potential.
Brewster's commitment to excellence in manufacturing and
related careers started decades ago. He has been engaged in food manufacturing
since 1996 developing his career at Perry's Ice Cream, Jasper Products,
Winn-Dixie Manufacturing, Dunkin Brands and Tampa Bay CoPack. His food and
beverage experience includes developing aseptic products like soy, milk, rice,
protein drinks, juices, donuts, teas and sports drinks. Brewster joined Monin
in 2014 as the Vice President of Plant Operations and currently serves as the
Chief Production Officer at Monin Americas.
Community outreach is a cornerstone of Brewster's
contributions to manufacturing. Key
contributions include engagement in diverse initiatives across the state. He
was nominated as a key participant in the Talent Pipeline Management
Manufacturing Collaborative. He was the speaker at the American Manufacturing
Summit in Chicago, IL. He is a member of the Pinellas County Coalition to
Tallahassee and sponsored the Clearwater High School robotics team. Brewster
has been a leading proponent of Manufacturing Day events and has partnered with
FLATE on various MFG Day activities in the Tampa Bay region. Through Monin
Americas, he served as a sponsor for the Manufacturing Day 5K Run-Walk-Paddle
for Education. Since 2015 he has hosted several Manufacturing Day tours for
Pinellas County School District. He is also member of several regional Manufacturers
Associations serving as the Vice President for Bay Area Manufacturers
Association (BAMA), member of the Board of Directors for BAMA and the Upper
Tampa Bay Manufacturers Association and Chair of the BAMA Scholarship
Committee. He is an avid advocate for hiring people with special needs and
co-founded BAMA's veterans support committee.
FLATE extends its heartiest congratulations on this top honor
to all the 2019 FLATE Awards recipients.
The Awards represent FLATE's commitment to recognize
colleagues who have made significant contributions to the outreach, education
and training of today's advanced manufacturing workforce. Awards will be
presented during the 53rd Annual FACTE Conference & Trade Show
from July 15-17, at the Renaissance Orlando Sea World Resort in Orlando, FL.
For more information about the FLATE Awards program, or to submit a nomination
for 2020 FLATE Awards visit www.fl-ate.org/projects/flate-awards.
You can also contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at 813.25.6578, or at barger@fl-ate.org.
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