NOMINEE INFORMATION (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT CLEARLY)
Nominee
Christina Antonietta Zarrilli
Title
Company/Organization
Address (FAU address)
City/State/ZIP
Student home address:
Telephone Fax (student fax)
E-mail (best student email)
Innovation Leadership Honors Student, Junior, Ocean Engineering Major, History Minor
Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering & Computer Science
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33433
7466 Dublin Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33433
561-395-4202 fax, 561-394-7758 home phone, 561-376-6818 cell
vincent_zarrilli@yahoo.com ( vincent underscore zarrilli @yahoo.com)
Alternate email: christinazarrilli@hotmail.com
Web site
CATEGORIES
This nomination is for (please check one):
Technology Executive
Technology Company
Technology Entrepreneur
Technology Organization (not-for-profit organizations only)
Technology Project (by the internal IT staff of a technology OR non-technology company)
Bioscience Company or Individual
Technology Student (university student only)
SUMMARY OF NOMINEE’S CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
The judges’ will use the materials presented in the summary as the primary consideration for their decisions.
Your submission should be comprehensive, but limited to no more than 10 double-spaced, 12-point typed pages.
1. DESCRIPTION: Provide a brief description of the nominee’s outstanding contributions and achievements in the workplace and
in the community. Explain how these achievements go above and beyond the scope of the nominee’s occupation.
2. QUALIFICATIONS: In a narrative summary, please identify and expand upon the nominee’s contributions and achievements to
illustrate their qualifications as a finalist and highlight any measurable results attributable to the nominee. This narrative should
specifically address the criteria outlined above to demonstrate why the candidate is a great nominee
Who would be a great nominee?
A great nominee will have demonstrated:
significant accomplishments that make the nominee stand out among their peers;
substantive leadership abilities and documented mentoring experiences;
strategic thinking and tactical planning experience; and
strong technology related background with relevant work experiences.
A great nominee is viewed as a leader by other executives, staff and customers, as well as the South Florida technology
community, and has demonstrated experience in:
creating a work environment that is positive and rewarding to employees both inside and outside of work;
encouraging staff to be innovative, developing new products, services, processes and ideas that produce bottom line
results;
motivating with recognition and opportunity, not just financial compensation;
developing and implementing best practices;
leveraging technology vendors as partners; and
developing leadership skills within the organization.
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce 2012 Technology Leaders of the Year Technology - University Student
Christina Zarrilli, Innovation Leadership Honors Junior, Ocean Engineering, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) pg 1 of 7
Brief descriptions of outstanding contributions and achievements:
Technology/Research: Florida Atlantic University College of Engineering & Computer Science
Ms. Zarrilli, stands out among her peers and is recognized by the university faculty and administration for her
scholarship, technical contributions and leadership. At fourteen, she was selected to be a pioneer in FAU’s novel fully dual
enrollment program, graduating high school with 95 college credits. She was then selected for the College of Engineering &
Computer Science’s newly created Innovation Leadership Honors Program with unites business and engineering students
with industry leaders to work together to find viable solutions to various issues. The college awarded and published three of
her technical papers. She was recognized by President Brogan in his 2008 State of the University Address, in 2010 chosen
to introduce President Saunders to FAU benefactors, and selected by the Dean Steven to represent engineering students at
the 2011Green Affair’s grand opening of the new engineering building to community supporter. Christina Zarrilli is the face
of FAU, and is featured in their TRUEBLUE and Make Waves videos, posters, flyers, postcards, letters and webpages. She
has been a leader in the university’s engineering program, advancing research and winning several contests. Her
exceptional strength at defining problems, identifying and evaluating alternatives, and implementing successful solutions
through cooperation with staff and other organizations has been recognized and resulted in significant contributions to the
university from benefactors and industry. Her relevant work experience, technology and research achievements include:
1. Leading homeland security project for Lockheed Martin and presenting research to Board of Directors resulting in
donation to university & support of program; will be heading team for further development
2. Patenting “green design” recycling product with US Patent Office, leading Sustainability Engineering Team
3. Being selected for NASA Space Florida Undergraduate Academy Scholar Internship – weather balloon project
4. Being chosen for Engineering Intern position with Tyco Retail Solutions, designed security tag testing device, which
company implemented
5. Redesigning and fixing sea turtle tanks’ pumping system at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
6. Developing environmental engineering curriculum for middle & high school students and presenting at outreach events
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce 2012 Technology Leaders of the Year Technology - University Student
Christina Zarrilli, Innovation Leadership Honors Junior, Ocean Engineering, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) pg 2 of 7
Brief descriptions of outstanding contributions and achievements continued:
Leadership experience off and on campus:
Christina Zarrilli is a proven leader, team player, mentor and a dynamic speaker with effective interpersonal skills.
She has developed organizational, planning and time management proficiency. In addition she has an excellent work ethic
and understands financial responsibility. Her international experiences in Europe and Asia provide an understanding of
different cultures and viewpoints allowing greater ability to relate to people and issues. Christina has held leadership roles
with increasing responsibility in employment, school, sport, religions and civil organizations. She knows how to motivate and
recognize staff. She has a track record for getting things done, competently, professionally and on time. Ms. Zarrilli is the
spokesperson for numerous organizations. She has devoted over 4500 hours of volunteer service to her community,
university, state and nation. Sample of the various organizations and leadership roles she has served with include:
1.Civil Air Patrol, US Air Force Auxiliary – 10 years – Cadet Lieutenant Colonel, US Cadet Ambassador to Japan, Command
Staff Executive Officer; Standards Evaluation Officer In Charge–2 years; Flight Commander, 1st Sgt; Group Cadet Advisory
Council Chair -3 years; Boca Raton Composite Squadron Cadet Commander–2 years, 1st Sgt-2 years
2. Society of Women Engineers – 3 years - FAU Chapter President (2009-10); Social Chair & Liaison to Professional
Chapter (2010-11); Vice President (2011-12)
3. Alpha Omega Epsilon Sorority- 1 year - Encouraging women to be engineers & scientists- FAU President & Founder
4. College of Engineering & Computer Science’s Innovation Leadership Honors Program -3 years -Project Leader for
university endeavors with area business and industry
5. Florida Atlantic University’s Scholar & Speaker -3 years -featured student in TRUEBLUE & Make Waves Campaigns
6. Center for Learning & Student Success – 2 years – Student Instructor for Methods of Calculus
7. Recreation Center – 2 years – Sports Referee Supervisor
8. Intramural Sports – 3 years – Captain Women’s Soccer Team, FAU HS -4 years Captain Girls Soccer Team
9. George Snow Foundation & National Society of High School Scholars– 3 years – Collegian Advisor
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce 2012 Technology Leaders of the Year Technology - University Student
Christina Zarrilli, Innovation Leadership Honors Junior, Ocean Engineering, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) pg 3 of 7
Qualifications:
Career goal.
Ms. Zarrilli’s career goals are to use her training and talent as a spokesperson, instructor and engineer to help
educate others about the importance of energy conservation and to help bring ocean energy to fruition, making it practical,
affordable and available to people worldwide. She believes that this new energy will be a clean, green alternative; reducing
the potential for natural disasters caused by global warming, and is important for the developed and developing world’s
future environmental and economic health. Our oceans hold all kinds of potential, and she believes feasible energy
solutions. As a professional working to make ocean energy a practical alternative, Ms. Zarrilli plans to address two areas of
concern; energy security and global warming. She was selected for Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) College of
Engineering & Computer Science’s Innovation Leadership Honors Program as a major in Ocean Engineering (OE) and is
working with her professors in water thermal, ocean currents and wave energy research. By developing these energy
resources she hopes to reduce our dependency on foreign oil giving us greater energy security. In addition by incorporating
these clean alternatives, she thinks we can reduce the pollutions of oil and coal energy consumption which contribute to
global warming. Ms. Zarrilli feels that our ocean is the next frontier for engineers and scientists with its challenges and
unlimited possibilities in creating new industries and jobs opportunities. FAU has an excellent reputation in OE and has
received numerous awards and grants. The college is focusing its attention on environmental issues and is doing extensive
alternative energy research. Christina is in a special program to be certified as a Scientific Technical Diver, which will allow
her to conduct underwater experiments and construction. As an engineering intern at Tyco’s Retail Solution she designed
and built a devise for testing the durability of their security tags. They have implemented the devise. Doing computer
designs, working in the labs, attending business meetings and doing presentations were valuable experiences; confirmed
that her real talents lie in management and being the spokesperson. She is investigating MBA and Project Management
programs for possible future continuation of her education.
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce 2012 Technology Leaders of the Year Technology - University Student
Christina Zarrilli, Innovation Leadership Honors Junior, Ocean Engineering, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) pg 4 of 7
Research:
Christina’s passions for the environment and ocean began early. When just eleven, she researched hydroponic
gardening as a method of growing food in space and won a national science contest. After that experience she began to
direct her home school studies to the ocean and its environment. Her FAU research experience has been directed toward
environment and security. In one project Ms. Zarrilli redesigned and fixed the pumping systems for rescue centers’ sea turtle
habitats, furthering her education on the delicate balance of the ocean creatures and their environment and emphasizing for
her the need for environmental design in developing ocean energy. She created environmental engineering curriculum and
presented to children, strengthening her ability to educate and communicate issues and solutions to the public. As a student
intern she was able to work with NASA engineers where she built and launched a weather balloon furthering her knowledge
of how the ocean impacts global weather patterns. Reconfirming her commitment to sustainability engineering, her team
created a product line designed to encourage recycling. She gained valuable knowledge on how to apply for US patent. She
leads a project team to design submersibles with the purpose to protect and map our water systems which will be critical in
security and energy development.
Leadership:
Christina Zarrilli believes it is important for each of us to contribute to our country and the world’s well-being. She in
her tenth year with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the US Air Force Auxiliary, and has earned the rank of Cadet Lieutenant
Colonel. She led her troops in performing disaster relief, senior citizen aid, veterans support, and mentoring children. During
disaster relief efforts, Cadet Zarrilli helped save a person’s life. She volunteers with FAU’s Office of Students with
Disabilities and her church. She knows what it means to be accountable for the decision she make and people entrusted to
her care. By example as well as words, she tries to inspire others to get involved. She has been selected to be FAU’s
Student Speaker and on their Service Learning Board and speaks about service and the accomplishments that can be
achieved by working together.
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce 2012 Technology Leaders of the Year Technology - University Student
Christina Zarrilli, Innovation Leadership Honors Junior, Ocean Engineering, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) pg 4 of 7
Leadership continued:
As cadet leader, Zarrilli makes sure no one was disenfranchised. At an activity adult leaders suggested “team
prayer in the name of Christ.” Everyone listened as Zarrilli explained that even though their prayer was meant to strengthen
the group, it divided them as it excluded non-Christian volunteers. It was risky standing up to adults who had influence over
her promotions. She explains that it turned out to be a positive experience because everyone learned that tolerance and
respect are important. A Native American tribe twice acknowledged her work on promoting tolerance and diversity.
Cadet Zarrilli had the opportunity to promote understanding and peace as US Cadet Ambassador to Japan. She
hosted students coming to the US and did a study abroad in Italy. She tells me that from these experiences she learned that
we are all connected and our actions impact others. Christina looks at issues from an international perspective; with a
commitment to preserving, protecting and sharing our world’s natural resources. She believes that much of the tension
between nations exists in the struggle to have access to resources and to resolve these tensions, we must understand
others’ cultures and look at resource alternatives. Ms. Zarrilli is the person to do that. Christina hopes to use the
knowledge and skills she has gained to educate others and promote international conservation, environmental protection
and alternative energy policies. She believes ocean energy is important for the earth’s future environmental and economic
health.
FAU’s Innovation Leadership Honors Program, unites business and engineering students with industry leaders to
find feasible solutions. The work is project based and Christina Zarrilli is often chosen to be the leader. As such, she makes
sure they listen to and evaluate all ideas, have a plan, stay on task, budget, schedule and work as a team. A homeland
security research project she led for Lockheed Martin resulted in corporate support for the college and further development
of this assignment. She personally evaluated the risks involved and determined how to overcome them. For her senior
design project she hopes to construct and test multi-purpose submersibles with the purpose of securing our ports, ships and
oceans. The submersibles will be designed to be equipped with special imaging and sound recording technology and will
also be valuable in mapping the earth’s waters.
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce 2012 Technology Leaders of the Year Technology - University Student
Christina Zarrilli, Innovation Leadership Honors Junior, Ocean Engineering, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) pg 6 of
Service:
Volunteerism is an integral part of Christina Zarrilli’s life. She has received numerous recognitions, which include
four President’s Volunteer Service and two Native American Chief Flying Eagle awards, for devoting over 4500 hours of
service to her community, state and nation. She began as a child reading to a blind woman and since 2002 served with Civil
Air Patrol, the US Air Force Auxiliary and earned their prestigious Life Saving Ribbon. Combining social, service and
professional interests, Ms. Zarrilli founded her university’s Student Service Learning Board, volunteers with the Office for
Students’ with Disabilities, reactivated their Society of Women Engineers, and initiated on campus Alpha Omega Epsilon
Sorority for technical women. As an officer in these organizations Ms. Zarrilli is the spokesperson and has organized many
programs promoting conservation, environmental protection, team work, tolerance and diversity.
Ms. Zarrilli reports that after having witnessed the devastation to communities and environs caused by natural
disasters and having devoted many hours to disaster relief, she turned her attention to finding ways to protect our
environment. Florida Atlantic University, is providing her with the exposure and opportunities further her ability to protect the
planet’s ecosystem. Her professors are involved in ocean energy research which may have the potential of producing as
much energy as a nuclear plant but without the dangers. FAU is analyzing global warming and its resulting weather
changes, rising ocean levels and its impact on the Everglades and salt intrusion into fresh water. Christina was selected for
a NASA internship and to attend the US Hydrographic Conference and received encouragement from the Marine
Technology and Florida Engineering societies to continue her studies. Ms. Zarrilli says that the fulfillment, expertise and
competences she has received from volunteer service cannot be measured.
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce 2012 Technology Leaders of the Year Technology - University Student
Christina Zarrilli, Innovation Leadership Honors Junior, Ocean Engineering, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) pg 7 of
Additional information:
Faced with academic, financial and health challenges, Christina has learned that perseverance and determination
are necessary to achieve her dreams. She didn’t listen to naysayers when at age fourteen she went from homeschooling to
college in her high school freshman year. It was a challenge going from a classroom with just her, to one with 300 older
students, and to take university courses without having preparatory classes. Failing a course, Ms. Zarrilli told me she was
taught that more important than “the correct answer” may be the method used to ensure a product’s integrity, safety and
performance. An illness has threatened her college and career goals, impacted her GPA, savings and earnings; teaching
her that good health is critical to pursuing her aspirations. Due to the economic situation, both parents are unemployed.
Christina works on campus and uses her money responsibly: paying for college, medical bills and helping family. She is
building character as she plugs through these adversities. Christina told me, “ I know I can do anything if I persevere. I have
learned some important life lessons and believe in the long run I will succeed.
In Summary:
Today, we have a critical need for clean renewable energy resources. At Florida Atlantic University, Ms. Zarrilli has
been investing in tomorrow’s energy by learning about and researching the development of ocean-based energy. She
believes that we could drastically change the state of the economy if we learn to harbor the ocean’s energy; not only
reducing our dependence on other countries, but investing in jobs of the future and protecting the planet. She is very
concerned about global warming and pollution caused by our energy consumption. Ms. Zarrilli is making conservation is a
major component in her efforts to protect our resources and environment. She sees her career in alternative ocean energy
is important for our nation’s and the world’s future. Christina Zarrilli plans to spend her career finding green solutions to by
tapping the ocean for energy, educating others and promoting international conservation, environmental protection and
alternative energy policies.
.