Education in the spotlight

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Florida Tech announced the addition of two new members to the university’s Board of Trustees, including Frank DiBello, who recently retired as president and CEO of Space Florida, and Kelle Wendling, BS 1993, MBA 1997, sector president of space systems at L3Harris Corporation.

In addition to appointing the new members, the Board announced that long-time member Joe Caruso has been named Trustee Emeritus. The Board now consists of 17 members and six members emeritus.

“The board is critical to Florida Tech’s success, and adding members who bring decades of industry experience in space and space business – a central focus in many programs here – deepens and strengthens our ability to make the right decisions for the university’s success now and in the future,” said Board Chairman Travis Proctor.

Frank DiBello’s distinguished career has included both civilian and government work. After earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Villanova University, he began working for aerospace companies in the mid-1970s and became founder and managing partner of the Space & Advanced Technology Division of KPMG Peat Marwick in Washington, DC, in 1984.

He came to Brevard County in the early 2000s to serve as president and CEO of Florida Aerospace Finance Corporation, which was created to support the business development and financing needs of new and established companies in the space, aerospace and defense industries.

In 2008, he was named president and CEO of Space Florida, a position he held until his retirement this year. The for-profit public corporation was created by the Florida State Legislature to advance the development of a world-leading aerospace industry for the state and to serve as the state’s spaceport authority.

DiBello was responsible for the strategic direction and management of the organization for fifteen years. During that time, Space Florida established the state as the nation’s premier space state and a global leader in promoting space commerce. Space Florida funded over $3 billion for the state’s aerospace infrastructure during that time.

In 2024, he became President and CEO of SOLV, Space Industry Advisors.

DiBello’s awards include the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Award for public service, the highest honor the Secretary of Defense can bestow on a civilian, and a number of high-level roles on advisory boards at NASA, the Department of Defense, the Department of Transportation, and more.

Kelle Wendling joined what was then Harris Corporation in 1996 and was hired as a program manager for defense programs. Three years earlier, she had earned her bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics/computer science from Florida Tech and was one year away from completing her MBA at Florida Tech.

In 2005, Wendling was promoted to program director for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance at Harris, beginning a steady rise within the company. In January 2014, she was named vice president of government programs for the Civil Business Unit, and two more vice president roles followed: vice president and general manager of the Wireless Solutions Business Unit in 2015 and vice president of business development, strategy and technology for the Electronic Systems Segment in 2016.

In March 2017, Wendling was named sector president of Mission Networks, serving as general manager and profit and loss leader for the $750 million, 2,000-employee business unit serving the FAA, air traffic and critical network-related programs for domestic and international customers.

Wendling is currently President of the $3 billion, 6,000-employee Space Systems segment within L3Harris’ Space and Airborne Systems segment, a position she has held since January 2022. Space and Airborne Systems covers a comprehensive solution portfolio in reconnaissance, surveillance, small satellites, electronic warfare and avionics.

Outside the office, Wendling was awarded the Bisk College of Business’ Outstanding Alumni Award in 2022. She is a graduate of the Harris Leadership Directions Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and completed the Product Design and Development program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

“Florida Tech is honored to welcome Frank and Kelle to the Board of Trustees,” said President John Nicklow. “Their insights and leadership will enhance our decision-making and expand the expertise of our Board of Trustees in new and important ways.”

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