Nicholson alumnus Peter Cranis ’84 ‘88 was inducted into Nicholson’s Hall of Fame in 2003, and stated on his plaque, “UCF and NSCM is where I learned to reach for the stars.” He now continues to reach for the stars as he embarks on his newest mission as executive director of the Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism.
Florida’s Space Coast is home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where rockets still soar. The family friendly destination has an adventure for every visitor – beaches, wetlands, waterways and ports.
Cranis manages a $40 million budget in order to promote and market this beautiful location. His duties include endorsing the area as a vacation destination as well as assigning funding for beach nourishment, capital projects like parks and cultural or sports activities.
“We work to help businesses be successful and increase jobs, as well as making the county a better place to live, work and play,” Cranis explained.
Cranis started the position in March, having been selected by County Manager Frank Abbate.
“Peter Cranis comes to us with an exceptional track record of leadership and growth, having led highly effective and expansive marketing programs that have stretched around the world,” said Abbate, in this article.
Cranis is widely regarded for his expertise in strategic planning and in positioning products or services for growth, profitability and global success. He attributes much of his success to the skills he acquired both attending UCF as a student, and teaching others as a professor.
“I got my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the NSCM,” Cranis said, “as well as being an adjunct professor for 25 years, so the school has had a profound influence on my life and career. My time at UCF was the foundation as I embarked on my career and it still is part of me today.”
This article was written by Iulia Popescu.