University Financing Foundation Donates $1 Million to Help Florida Tech During Pandemic Changes

Atlanta-based TUFF creates vibrant physical environments for institutions of education and research

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The University Financing Foundation (TUFF) has contributed $1 million to help Florida Tech in any way needed during these challenging times.

Atlanta-based TUFF is a developer and advisor focused on creating vibrant physical environments for institutions of education and research. Founded in 1982, TUFF’s mission is to help these institutions obtain facilities and equipment at below-market costs.

TUFF assisted Florida Tech in the past in the building of L3Harris Village student housing, Panther Dining Hall, the Panther Aquatic Center and the L3Harris Center for Science and Engineering.

This gift honors Florida Tech President Dwayne McCay, who has worked closely with TUFF for more than a decade, and former Florida Tech Vice President of Financial Affairs Jack Armul.

TUFF CEO Kevin Byrne said in making this gift that McCay and Armul’s steadfast support of the vision for Florida Tech’s success and their professionalism helped realize this vision.

The $1 million gift demonstrates how strongly TUFF values the mission of the university and its past, current and future impact on the United States and the world.

The gift also honors the four board members who lead TUFF:

▪ Thomas Ventulett, chairman of the board and a founding principal of Thompson, Ventulett Stainback & Associates (TVS). After founding TVS in 1968, Ventulett received over 200 design awards, including a National AIA Honor Award for McCormick Place in Chicago and Honor Award – Urban Design for the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. In 2002, TVS received the National Architecture Firm Award, the highest honor bestowed by the American Institute of Architects.

▪ Thomas Hall III, vice chairman and co-founder of TUFF. A 1958 graduate of Georgia Tech’s industrial engineering program, Hall spent 13 years assisting with alumni development for his alma mater, founding and directing the Office of Resources Development. He proudly served as TUFF’s Chief Executive Officer from 2001 until March of 2018, when he formally retired.

▪ A.J. Robinson, director, and president of Central Atlanta Progress, a private business association founded in 1941 that remains one of the most effective advocacy organizations in Atlanta. Robinson, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, is also the president of the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District.

▪ David M. McKenney. In 1972, McKenney joined his family’s mechanical contracting firm, McKenney’s Inc., as vice president. He became president and CEO in 1973 and led the company for 36 years, presiding over its growth from $5 million and 100 employees to over $200 million and 800 employees. Eventually, McKenney’s became one of the country’s largest privately held mechanical contracting and engineering firms.

Learn more about TUFF and its partnership with Florida Tech, HERE.

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

Similar Stories