FIU to give Manuel D. Medina Lifetime Achievement Award

FIU to give Manuel D. Medina Lifetime Achievement Award
FIU to give Manuel D. Medina Lifetime Achievement Award
Manuel D. Medina

Business icon Manuel D. Medina will be recognized for his groundbreaking work in technology and entrepreneurship, as well as his philanthropic and community leadership, with the Lifetime Achievement Award at FIU College of Business’ 2015 Hall of Fame Awards.

As the founder and board chairman of eMerge Americas, Medina is credited with establishing Miami as the technology hub of the Americas, with more than 10,000 individuals throughout the world participating in its most recent conference. He also is the founder and managing partner of Medina Capital, a private equity firm focused on the technology, cybersecurity, big data, software-as-a-service and mobility markets.

“This is a very special, very prestigious, award because I’m a big believer in FIU,” Medina said. “FIU has grown to be one of our most important institutions and it has made other universities try to rise to where FIU is today.”

Medina has spent more than 30 years as a successful businessman with expertise in technology, finance, international business and as a government contractor. He founded Terremark in 1980 as a commercial real estate company, and later converted it into a data services company operating globally. Verizon Communications bought Terremark in 2012 for $1.4 billion.

Medina also has invested in FIU. The Medina Family Foundation donated $1.25 million to establish FIU’s Medina Aquarius Program, which houses the Aquarius Reef Base, a unique underwater research facility in the Florida Keys.

“This year, we honor Manny’s outstanding accomplishments and his commitment to establishing South Florida as the technology hub of the Americas,” said Jose Aldrich, acting dean of the College of Business. “His philanthropic leadership and genuine concern for his community make him a role model for our students and all entrepreneurs. We are honored to salute him with our Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Now in its 16th year, the Hall of Fame awards dinner will take place on Thursday, Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m., at the Adrienne Arsht Center Ziff Ballet Opera House.

In addition to Medina, the College of Business will honor five alumni for their entrepreneurial and business achievements as well as contributions to their communities and the college. The award categories are:

Innovation Award for an entrepreneur whose work has advanced the way people work or live their lives;

Young Alumni Spotlight for an entrepreneur whose business has demonstrated success and impact since graduation;

Entrepreneurship Award for a company founder or co-founder individual whose business has shown significant growth and market presence;

Growth Award for a business leader whose commitment to excellence has resulted in substantial growth of a successful business, and
Global Award for a leader of a global organization or multinational firm.

For more information about the Hall of Fame, visit business.fiu.edu/hall-of-fame.


Connect To Your Customers & Grow Your Business

Click Here