Oral History Interview with Rob Phebus, 2025
Abstract
This transcript details an interview with Rob Phebus, a distinguished alumnus and member of the Board of Trustees at Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech). Phebus describes his upbringing in Baltimore and his arrival at Florida Tech in 1970, where he initially studied space sciences before switching to management science . This academic shift launched a 32-year career in finance at Ford Motor Company, during which he spent 11 years in international operations in countries such as Venezuela, Brazil, Taiwan, and South Africa .
Upon re-engaging with Florida Tech, Phebus spent nine years on the Alumni Association board, eventually serving as its president. He focused on integrating "Air Alums" and aligning alumni committees with the Board of Trustees. Since joining the Board of Trustees in 2011, Phebus has advocated for greater transparency, professionalized business practices, and a move away from the university's historical "mom-and-pop" organizational style. He provides critical reflections on the university's presidents—from the visionary Jerry Keuper to the research-focused Lynn Weaver and the fundraising of Tony Catanese—emphasizing the need for fresh perspectives to help the institution evolve into a billion-dollar organization .