PAUL SOHL

ceo & co-founder, florida high tech corridor, orlando

A retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, Sohl has been CEO of the Florida High Tech Corridor since 2020. Spanning 23 counties, it's anchored by three of the country's largest research institutions: the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida and the University of Florida. The organization's mission is to align opportunities and resources in academia, industry and economic development to build and accelerate Florida's capacity to innovate.

EDUCATION: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BS), Stanford University (MS)

NOTABLE TREND: The rapid acceleration of artificial intelligence and how that's driving the convergence of multiple technologies here in Florida. For example, the convergence of food as medicine, AI and neurobiology. Amazing innovations are already erupting from that convergence.

NEXT GEN ADVICE: Every day put down your phone for a time, pick up a book and read. There's a lot of great wisdom in books that will help you navigate the future.

PERSONAL RESET: First, I relax. I resist the temptation to react immediately in the moment or even during the first 24 hours after a bad day. Lessons from failure pop up after a bit of time. And I love what a Navy mentor of mine told me years ago (and I use it to this day): “It is NEVER as good or as bad as first reported.” Very true.

GIVING BACK: Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando and Osceola County. With the housing crisis seemingly unfixable, they're facing it and doing something about it.

DAILY RITUAL
“Most mornings at 5 a.m. you'll find me at the Orlando YMCA with the other crazies working out at that time.”