Warrington young alumni honored for achievements
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Three graduates of the Warrington College of Business Administration—Kristine Ferrone, Brian Zophin and Bill Miller—were recipients of the University of Florida Outstanding Young Alumni Award.
The Outstanding Young Alumni Awards recognize graduates under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in business, community or service.
Ferrone (MBA ’07), representing the Hough Graduate School of Business, is a Space Vehicle Concept Design Engineer for The Aerospace Corporation in Washington, D.C. She performs integrative spacecraft systems engineering and mission assurance for several government agencies including NASA, the U.S. Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office. Prior to working at The Aerospace Corporation, Ferrone was a flight controller for the International Space Station at NASA’s Johnson Space Center supporting mission planning and timeline development for crew and ground activities. In 2009, Ferrone served as Interdisciplinary Scientist for the 12th crew to the Mars Society’s Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station (FMARS), living and working in an analog Mars environment for one month.
Ferrone earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics-Astrophysics from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004. In addition to her UF MBA, she earned a Master of Science in Sports Medicine from the United States Sports Academy in 2010 and a Master of Science in Space Architecture from the University of Houston in 2011.
Zophin (BSAc ’98; MAcc ’98), representing the Fisher School of Accounting, is a Partner in the accounting firm Cherry, Bekaert & Holland. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA). Zophin has more than 12 years of experience providing assurance and business advisory services to both publicly traded companies and private businesses in industries such as restaurant and hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare, non-profit, entertainment, timeshare, travel and leisure, employee benefit plan and technology.
Zophin also resides on the Board of Directors of the Florida Venture Forum and is a member of the Leadership Tampa Alumni and the Bay Area Advisors.
Miller (BSBA ’08), representing the Heavener School of Business, has overcome incredible physical obstacles en route to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Miller, a quadriplegic, co-invented the IKAN Bowler, a device that attaches to wheelchairs allowing power wheelchair-dependent people to bowl with more freedom and control.
Miller successfully earned his degree through the College’s Online Business Program where he graduated with a 4.0 GPA.
