Full Sail President Named ITFlorida's 'Leader of the Year'

ITFlorida, a not-for-profit membership organization representing Florida's technology community, has given its 7th annual "Leader of the Year" award to Garry Jones, president of the entertainment industry-focused Full Sail University. ITFlorida's "Leader of the Year" award is among the honors given out at the organization's annual Awards Gala and Tech Forum. Other award categories featured at the recent 7th annual event included Excellence in IT Leadership, Excellence in Bridging the Digital Divide, Government Technology Leadership, and Small Business of the Year. Jones joined Full Sail shortly after its founding as a teacher in the school's recording arts curriculum. Between 1980 and 1999, Jones assumed various roles at Full Sail, including Course Director, Director of Education, Director of Career Development, Vice President of Admissions, and Senior Vice President. Jones has served as President of the university since 1999. "It is a tremendous honor to receive this award," said Jones. "Full Sail University continually strives to remain on the cutting edge of technology with our academics, our labs and studios, and through leadership with and for our students." Jones continues: "Maintaining relevant and employable education for the entertainment and media industries is one of the primary goals of the university as a whole, and we achieve this through the innovative nature of our degree programs both online and on-campus, that is gained through close and perennial contact with the industries that we serve. I look forward to an even brighter future for this great institution thanks to the creative, driven nature of our students and our staff, and the success of our graduates."