P. BARRY BUTLER

PRESIDENT, EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY, DAYTONA BEACH

Embry-Riddle educates over 30,000 students annually at campuses in Daytona Beach, Prescott, Ariz. and online globally. The university offers a dual-enrollment program in Florida through the Gaetz Aerospace Career Academy, teaching courses to students in more than 200 schools. During Butler’s tenure, Embry-Riddle has developed academic, industry and government partnerships to advance aviation and aerospace safety, data analytics and cybersecurity. The school also has expanded its Research Park in Daytona Beach, a hub for aerospace-focused companies. Butler serves on the board of directors of The Wings Club, a New York-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting the next generation of aviation leaders through education, scholarships and other activities, as well as supporting charitable organizations that use aviation to help those in need.

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

FIRST JOB: Working in a shoe store as a high school student.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: Working at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. I never get tired of visiting the place.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: My wife, Audrey, and I are big fans of NASCAR, Formula 1 racing and the WNBA.

HOBBY: I spend my free time on weekends flying with a couple of close friends.