High-tech alumnus staying connected to UWF

Ambitious and hard working, Jeremy Wyatt, ’98, electrical engineering, is definitely a multi-tasker. Whether he’s working on software publications, pursuing his MBA or serving as master of ceremonies at a University of West Florida Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology (BEST) robotics competition, he still finds time to inspire and recruit new talent for his industry.

“I have been involved in the hiring of at least seven UWF graduates and I can say in all honesty that I have seen a direct correlation between hard work early on and success later,” said Wyatt. “UWF understands that the community needs this kind of talent and that we have to start recruiting at the high-school level if we want our brightest kids to stay in the Northwest Florida region.”

Managing a team of software developers, Wyatt is the director of Software Engineering for Actigraph, which specializes in designing ambulatory activity monitors that are used to sense movement in the body. Currently designing new features for Actigraph’s interactive Web application, the software department is working to help its users with their fitness goals by providing the ability to share data with other users, as well as provide weight loss tracking, diet tracking and heart health analysis.

“On the hardware side we’re developing a sleek new product that will essentially act like a personal training assistant to our users,” said Wyatt. “The new device will come with a lot of new features like support for MP3 music playback, a vibrating alert system for marathon users and eventually a wireless adapter that will upload users’ data directly to our Web site.”

Grateful for the experience and opportunities he’s had throughout his collegiate career, Wyatt credits UWF for the success he’s had to get to this point.

“Obtaining my degree has been the single most important step in my career and one of the best decisions of my life,” said Wyatt. “Graduating from the joint engineering program with University of Florida, I knew that I would be getting the best of both worlds – a challenging degree that was in high demand at a university that offered a very personalized atmosphere.”

Learning to love taking on several tasks at once, Wyatt is currently in pursuit of his MBA through UWF’s “Finish in Five” program. When he’s not working, studying for class or spending time with his family, Wyatt also makes time to talk to UWF engineering students and participates in Pensacola Young Professionals and the Northwest Florida Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He also serves on the grand opening committee for the new UWF School of Science and Engineering Building.

“If Pensacola and the surrounding areas are going to recruit companies that specialize in new and innovative technologies, we have got to start with our students,” said Wyatt. “By providing a quality curriculum focused on science and technology, we can attract and keep some of the top high-tech companies.

For more information on UWF’s School of Science and Engineering, contact (850) 474-2542, e-mail sse@uwf.edu or visit uwf.edu/sse.

Written by Megan Tyson, University Marketing Communications