FIU Board of Trustees Welcomes New Leadership Team

New Leadership for FIU Board of Trustees

The Florida International University (FIU) Board of Trustees has welcomed a new member, Fred Voccola, who has been appointed as the latest addition to the board. He replaces Rogelio Tovar, who previously held the position. Voccola brings a wealth of experience in business leadership, entrepreneurship, and the global technology sector, with a particular focus on AI's transformative impact on business operations.

"Fred Voccola brings to our board deep experience in business leadership, entrepreneurship and the global technology sector, as well as being one of the global innovators in AI’s transformational impact on global business," said Carlos A. Duart, chair of FIU's Board of Trustees. "His perspective will be invaluable as FIU continues to grow as a top public research university driving technology and innovation."

Voccola currently serves as vice chairman of Kaseya's Board of Directors, having led the company as CEO for over a decade. Under his leadership, Kaseya transformed into a global leader in AI-powered cybersecurity and IT management software for small and mid-size businesses. As a seasoned technology entrepreneur, he has co-founded and led multiple successful software ventures, including Identify Software, Trust Technology Corp., and Yodle. His contributions extend beyond the corporate world, as he has served on several technology boards and is recognized as a thought leader in AI, cybersecurity, and business transformation. Through his foundation, he supports veterans, animal welfare, and public policy initiatives.

"Living in Miami for the last 20 years, I have seen the evolution of FIU and the central role it plays in educating leaders across industries," Voccola said. "I am excited about serving on this board and working alongside visionary leaders focused on student success and research excellence."

Voccola's term on the board runs through January 6, 2028.

In addition to Voccola's appointment, the FIU Board of Trustees made a unanimous decision to elect Carlos A. Duart as chair and Marc D. Sarnoff as vice chair. Both will serve two-year terms effective immediately.

Duart, who has served as vice chair for the last two years, will succeed Tovar, who has chaired the BOT since 2023 after serving as a trustee since 2018. Duart also served as chair of the Presidential Search Committee, which spearheaded the search for FIU's seventh president, Jeanette M. Nuñez.

"It is a privilege to serve as chair of the FIU Board of Trustees," Duart said. "As an alumnus, I know firsthand the power of this institution to transform lives. I look forward to working closely with President Nuñez, Vice Chair Sarnoff and my fellow trustees to continue advancing FIU's mission and impact as a top public research university."

A two-time FIU graduate, Duart has served as a trustee since October 2021. He is the founder and CEO of CDR Enterprises Inc. and its subsidiaries, which specialize in heavy civil engineering, emergency medicine, disaster response and recovery, and project finance. He has also served on the Florida International University Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of the University Transportation Research Center. Duart is a member of the FIU College of Business' Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame and has received several honors, including the FIU Outstanding Alumnus Medallion and Torch Award.

Sarnoff, a Florida Supreme Court certified mediator and former commissioner for the City of Miami, has served as a trustee since 2016. He is also a partner in the Miami office of Shutts & Bowen, where he practices land use and government relations law. His experience in land use planning and zoning includes involvement in the creation of the Perez Art Museum, the Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, Museum Park, the development of the Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center, and the creation of the 90,000 square foot Viacom movie studio. He is also a founding member of the Catholic-Jewish Alliance, an organization dedicated to combatting antisemitism, focused on our schools.

"It's an honor for me to serve as vice chair of the board," Sarnoff said. "FIU is a special place that draws you in because we are changing lives in the classroom, in the lab and on the field."

President Jeanette M. Nuñez expressed her excitement about the new board leadership and the addition of Voccola to the BOT. She emphasized the potential for FIU's impact to grow under their guidance.

"Congratulations to Chair Duart and Vice-Chair Sarnoff on their election," Nuñez said. "We also are excited to welcome Fred Voccola, who brings a wealth of business and leadership experience to the board. I look forward to working with all of the trustees to build on our momentum, enhance the FIU student experience, grow our research excellence, build strategic partnerships, and elevate FIU across South Florida and our state."