Vice President for Strategy, Marketing, Communications and Admissions, and Special Assistant to the President
University of Central Florida
United States
Mr. Al Harms joined the University of Central Florida in 2005 and currently serves as Vice President for Strategy, Marketing, Communications and Admissions, and Special Assistant to the President. In addition to his responsibilities on the university’s senior leadership team, he also serves on various Advisory Boards for academic, scientific, corporate and philanthropic organizations located across the nation.
A native of central Illinois, Al Harms completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois, and later earned a Master’s of Science degree in Statistics from Texas A&M University. Commissioned through the Naval ROTC Program, he completed flight training and served in various A-6 Intruder attack squadrons prior to attending the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and commanding Attack Squadron Seventy Five (VA-75). After completion of the Naval Nuclear Power Training Program, he served as Executive Officer of USS Enterprise (CVN-65), and then commanded USS Shreveport (LPD-12) and USS Nimitz (CVN-68), the lead ship of America’s largest class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
Promoted to Flag (General Officer) rank in 1996, he had five follow-on major staff and sea assignments, including:
– Deputy Director of Operations, U.S. Central Command – Commander, Carrier Group Three and Carl Vinson Battle Group – Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, U.S. Pacific Fleet – Director, Assessment Division (N81) on the CNO’s staff – Commander, Naval Education and Training Command.
In his final active duty assignment, he served as the Navy’s Chief Learning Officer where he was responsible for the education and training of all Navy officer and enlisted personnel, including basic military training and commissioning programs, technical and warfare training, advanced specialty training, and graduate education.
Following transition from active naval service, Al and his wife Gina settled in central Florida. They have four grown children and seven grandchildren; and in addition to local community and university activities, enjoy traveling throughout the country and around the world.
2012
Opening Formative Keynote