Former NSA director, Furman alumnus to lead Cyber Florida

In a news release, the University of South Florida announced the appointment of J. Michael (Mike) McConnell, retired U.S. Navy vice admiral and former director of the National Security Agency (NSA), as executive director of Cyber Florida. Cyber Florida is a state-funded organization hosted at USF that works with all 12 public universities in Florida, as well as private industry, government and the military to build partnerships and develop programs that grow and strengthen Florida’s cybersecurity industry.

McConnell earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Furman University in 1966 and a Master of Public Administration from George Washington University. He is also a graduate of the National Defense University and the National Defense Intelligence College.