Cliff Otto, former CEO of Saddle Creek Logistics Services, has been named chair of the 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»Board of Trustees. He will serve a two-year term.
LAKELAND, Fla. β The 91ΒιΆΉΣ³»Board of Trustees has a new chair. Trustee Cliff Otto, former CEO of Saddle Creek Logistics Services, has been named chair for a two-year term. Trustee Mark Bostick will serve as vice chair.
Otto recently retired from Saddle Creek Logistics Services, a renowned supply chain solutions company based in Lakeland. He was first appointed to the board by Gov. Rick Scott in 2016.
βIβve been involved with the University since before its formal inception and I am looking forward to continuing that work as chair of the Board of Trustees,β Otto said.
Ottoβs support for 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly extends back to his position as co-chair of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly Vision, a group of business and community leaders who joined to support the burgeoning University in early 2012.
βThe number-one attraction that drove us to be as supportive as we are of the University was the opportunity for economic improvement,β Otto said. βIt was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to create things like a research park around the University to attract all these companies not currently in 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» who are focused on technology and services.β
Otto said the Universityβs ability to produce graduates that are highly qualified to fill in-demand, tech-minded positions was a game changer for Polk County and all of Central 91ΒιΆΉΣ³».
β91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Polyβs success will drive companies to establish operations here and drive growth in a new direction for the state,β he said.
Dr. Randy K. Avent, 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Polyβs president, said Ottoβs leadership will be essential to the Universityβs academic growth and economic impact moving forward.
βOur academic programs are delivering on our promise to generate qualified, high-demand graduates ready to take on tomorrowβs challenges,β Avent said. βWith the guidance and support of Cliff and the entire board, we will continue reach our Universityβs goals and continue evolving into one of the nationβs best STEM universities.β
Otto said the board will have to shift its focus this academic year to support the University through the challenges related to on-campus operations amid COVID-19, but he is hopeful 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly will continue its trajectory of growth, including the completion of the Applied Research Center.
βIβve been involved with the University in one way or another for 10 years and I share the vision of the difference that 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly can make here in the near term and for the state of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» in the longer term,β Otto said.
βIβm excited about the opportunity to be in a leadership role for a couple of years to help us continue to realize that vision.β
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