J. SCOTT ANGLE

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA; LEADER, THE UF INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (UF/IFAS), GAINESVILLE

The UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is the discovery and innovation arm of one of Florida’s largest industries — food, agriculture and natural resources. Its 2,300 employees serve every county in the state with science Floridians use to improve their lives. Angle has led the organization for nearly three years, working to propel Florida agriculture forward with a vision for remaking the state as the “Silicon Valley of Agriculture.”

EDUCATION: University of Maryland (BS, MS), University of Missouri (Ph.D.)

FIRST JOB: Cleaning dog cages starting at age 12.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: Astronaut. I applied for the position of payload specialist in the early days of the space shuttle program. I was not selected but have maintained an interest in space science.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: I fix watches for family and friends.

NONPROFIT PASSION: I ran a nonprofit in Africa and southeast Asia for three years. The mission of the nonprofit was simply to help the poorest farmers of these areas grow more food. Often, we taught them how to grow more food than needed for the family. They could then go into the village and sell excess produce. Having cash for the first time was the initial step out of poverty and often allowed for better health care, better nutrition or sending a child to school. The job was hard but gratifying.