P. Barry Butler

President, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach

Since 2017, Butler has served as president of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a leader in aerospace higher education that teaches more than 30,000 students annually, including at its Daytona Beach campus. During his tenure, the university has expanded academic, industry and government collaboration to advance the study of aviation, aerospace safety, data analytics, cybersecurity and emerging technologies such as uncrewed aircraft.

EDUCATION: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (BS, MS, Ph.D.)

IF I WERE GOVERNOR: We should continue to strengthen Florida’s essential role in the space sector. I would also seek to support more of our middle and high school students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), so they can forge careers in these dynamic fields.

READING: The Wright Brothers, by historian David McCullough

MOTIVATIONAL MANTRA: For me, it is important to enjoy your work. One should also never be complacent and always strive to improve in order to be better than the rest.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: I have had the pleasure of working in higher education for my entire career. To be trusted with the task of educating students and preparing them for life-changing careers is something that I have never taken for granted.