New York Institute of Technology 21st-Century Leaders Conversation Series Panelists
Moderator
Hank Foley, Ph.D.
President, NYIT
Henry C. “Hank” Foley, Ph.D., is the fourth president of New York Institute of Technology (NYIT). He joined the university in June 2017 after serving as interim chancellor of the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU). A seasoned administrator and an accomplished research scientist and teacher, Foley brings to NYIT decades of high-level experience in strategic planning, economic development and advanced research collaborations, program development, and enhanced funding in higher education.
As NYIT president, he is committed to expanding the university's reputation as well as elevating its resource management and global outreach by ensuring that the university’s assets are synergistic and support its mission; instilling a leadership culture conducive to setting strategies that build excitement and passion for NYIT’s future; and building and sustaining financial resources, enrollment, and NYIT’s relationships and stature within its various communities.
As MU’s interim chancellor, Foley directed the university’s research mission as well as led the quality and effectiveness of all academic programs. He joined the University of Missouri System in 2013 as executive vice president for academic affairs, where he was tasked with growing its academic and research expertise before being appointed interim chancellor in November 2015. Foley has also served as vice president for research and dean of the graduate school at The Pennsylvania State University. In addition, he has held faculty appointments at MU, Penn State, and the University of Delaware.
Foley earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry at Providence College, a master’s degree in chemistry from Purdue University, and doctorate in physical and inorganic chemistry from Penn State. An accomplished researcher who has dedicated more than 30 years to advancing the study of nanotechnology, he holds 16 patents, has written more than 150 articles and a textbook, and has mentored nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate thesis students. Foley has been recognized as a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Academy of Inventors.
In addition, he holds numerous memberships in professional and honor societies, including the Computing Research Association, Sigma Xi, Phi Lambda, and Sigma Pi Sigma. In 2015, Foley was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by Providence College and in 2017 earned the Distinguished Science Alumni Award from Purdue University.
Panelists
Will Roper, Ph.D.
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics
Will Roper, Ph.D., is the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. As the Air Force’s Service Acquisition Executive, Dr. Roper is responsible for and oversees research, development and acquisition activities totaling an annual budget in excess of $40 billion for more than 465 acquisition programs. In this position, Dr. Roper serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force for research and development, test, production and modernization efforts within the Air Force. In addition to his Air Force responsibilities, he is the Service Acquisition Executive for the Joint Strike Fighter.
Prior to his current position, Dr. Roper was the founding Director of the Pentagon’s Strategic Capabilities Office. Established in 2012, the SCO imagines new—often unexpected and game-changing—uses of existing government and commercial systems: extending their shelf-life and restoring surprise to the military’s playbook. Since 2012, SCO has grown from an annual budget of $50 million to the current $1.5 billion request in the President’s 2018 budget with projects spanning new concepts such as hypervelocity artillery, multi-purpose missiles, autonomous fast-boats, smartphone-navigating weapons, big-data-enabled sensing, 3D-printed systems, standoff arsenal planes, fighter avatars and fighter-dispersed swarming micro-drones which formed the world’s then-largest swarm of 103 systems. During his tenure as SCO Director, Dr. Roper served on the Department’s 2018 National Defense Strategy Steering Group, Cloud Executive Steering Group and Defense Modernization Team.
Previously, Dr. Roper served as the Acting Chief Architect at the Missile Defense Agency where he developed 11 new systems, including the current European Defense architecture, advanced drones, and classified programs. Before this, he worked at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and served as a missile defense advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.
Dr. Roper received bachelor and master’s degrees in Physics from Georgia Institute of Technology, and a doctorate in Mathematics from Oxford University, England. Major awards and honors include: Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, Secretary of Defense’s Award for Excellence, USD/AT&L Award for Innovation, MDA Contractor of the Year, MDA Innovation and Technology Awards, and Rhodes Scholar.
Thomas Suozzi, U.S. Representative
New York District 3
Representative Tom Suozzi trained as an attorney and CPA, and is now the Congressman representing the Third Congressional District in New York. He is a member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, the chief tax-writing committee of the House of Representatives, and serves on both the Oversight and Tax Policy subcommittees. Congressman Suozzi is also the Vice Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. Prior to his assignment on Ways and Means, the Congressman was a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee, Co-Chair of the bipartisan Long Island Sound Caucus, and Co-Chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus.
Congressman Suozzi previously served as mayor of his hometown, Glen Cove, N.Y. from 1994 to 2001, and as Nassau County Executive from 2002 to 2009. As a reformer and a problem solver, in 2004 he created FixAlbany.com, exposing and rooting out corruption in New York state politics. In 2005, he was honored as Governing magazine’s “Public Official of the Year.” In 2007, he was appointed by the Governor to lead a state commission that proposed the first property tax cap, which has now become law. In 2008, the New York State League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) named him “Environmentalist of the Year.”
In 2010, he returned to the private sector as a senior advisor to investment banking firm Lazard and as counsel at Harris Beach law firm. Prior to his time in elected office, Suozzi worked as a litigator for Shearman & Sterling, law clerk to the Chief Judge of the Eastern District, and auditor for Arthur Andersen & Co.
Congressman Suozzi resides in Glen Cove with his wife Helene, and their three children, Caroline, Joseph, and Michael.