Two business leaders in technology and engineering have been named to the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation board of directors in Lakeland.
Alen Tomczak, a national director for digital intelligence company Cellebrite, and Johnnie Curls Jr., owner and CEO of Barney’s Pumps, have joined the board.
Tomczak's career has been assisting national security and the intelligence community. He enjoys spotting talent who can lead tech innovation and advancement, like many Florida Poly students.
“It’s very exciting to see what the university is doing, and I want to be part of showing that Florida Poly is and will be the leading school for graduate and undergraduate STEM education,” he said in a release.
Tomczak added that he wants to help Florida Poly develop relationships with government organizations and national security industry companies.
Curtis is the third-generation leader of Barney's and wants to improve and support Lakeland and Polk County, the release said.
“Florida Poly is great and can do so much for the city of Lakeland, and I’ll do anything I can to support that,” said Curls, who has hired three alumni as engineers, the release said. “I love growing young people, and so I support anything that’s geared toward that.”
The foundation works to partner with Florida Poly to engage the community, inspire investment and build resources.
