APPLE-ICON WOWS SCIENCE CENTER SUPPORTERS WITH INTIMATE CONVERSATION ABOUT TECHNOLOGY
The Tech Revolution: An Evening with Steve ‘Woz’ Wozniak offers insight into past, present and future tech advances
(Palm Beach, Fla.) Speaking openly and candidly in a living-room format interview, Steve ‘Woz’ Wozniak entertained, challenged and joked, as South Florida Science Center and Aquarium benefit guests watched intently – until it was their turn to ask the questions. “The Tech Revolution: An Evening with Steve ‘Woz’ Wozniak” was chaired by Elizabeth and Ben Gordon.
“The ‘Woz’ was a perfect fit for the annual Science Center benefit,” said Ms. Gordon. “Wozniak was able to impart wisdom to a group full of science and technology supporters, but in a fun and engaging atmosphere. He shared that his love of engineering was developed at an early age, and in order to get children involved in science, math and technology, we need to have a hands-on learning platform where they can experiment with science, such as the South Florida Science Center. We are grateful to the Science Center’s supporters for recognizing this growing need.”
The intimate evening felt more like ‘Woz’ was a personal dinner guest, as he shared his formula for happiness, happiness equals smiles minus frowns; told stories about his infamous pranks, his wife attested that no one was safe from being ‘Woz-ed’; gave personal tips for iPhone use; and divulged his vision for the future of technology. One of the most sought after technology speakers, Wozniak has helped shape the computing industry with his design of Apple’s first line of products – the Apple I and II, and influenced the popular Macintosh. In 1976 Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer, Inc., with Wozniak’s Apple I personal computer. Currently, he serves as chief scientist for Fusion-io and is a published author.
“It is clear that science and technology are vital to our future,” said Lew Crampton, Science Center CEO. “As ‘Woz’ can attest, it is critical to engage children at a young age and turn them on to a future in science as so many science, technology, engineering and math jobs are going unfilled. We are thankful to our benefit chairs, Elizabeth and Ben Gordon, for recognizing the importance of technology and securing world-class speaker Steve ‘Woz’ Wozniak. We are also grateful to our supporters, including Quantum Foundation and new donor Amin Khoury, founder and CEO of B/E Aerospace. We are excited to share news about his recent donation of $250,000.”
In addition to chairmen Elizabeth and Ben Gordon, leadership for the springtime event included honorary chairmen Jeffrey and Frances Fisher, Matthew and Helene Lorentzen, and John and Heidi Niblack. Host committee chairmen are Howard Cox, Stuart and Alison Haft, Cater and Afsy Pottash, Heath and Karly Randolph, and Eric and Lucinda Stonestrom. The host committee included Robb and Lynn Allan, Laurence and Molly Austin, Norberto and Robin Azqueta, Timothy and Sarah Benitz, Hannah and Duke Buchan III, Alan and Christine Curtis, Matthew and Liz Fifield, Tim and Christine Gannon, Gerald and Darlene Jordan, Joel and Darcy Kassewitz, Joseph and Karin Luter, William and Denise Meyer, Mrs. Danielle Moore, Michael and Ashley Ramos, Gerald Seay and Pauline Pitt, Stephen and Austin Smith, and Mark and Sonja Stevens. The event’s stewardship council was chaired by Dale Hedrick and Harvey Oyer. Stewardship Council included Col. Buzz Aldrin, Hon. Nancy Brinker, Howard Cox, Lew Crampton, Dr. Robert Crippen, Mary Hulitar, Dr. Edgar Mitchell, Harvey Poppel and John Scully.
Sponsors included: Chief Technology Officer Grand Benefactors, Lew and Kathleen Crampton, Jeffrey and Frances Fisher, Benjamin and Elizabeth Gordon, Matthew and Helene Lorentzen, and John and Heidi Niblack; Systems Engineers, Robb and Lynn Allan and Stuart and Allison Haft; Network Architect, Howard Cox; Software Developers, Florida Power & Light and Dr. Lorna Williams and Rhys Williams; Programmers Laurence and Molly Austin, Alan and Christine Curtis, Dr. David and Donna Dodson, Steven and Melinda Duncker, Susan Gibson, Gerald Seay and Pauline Pitt, and Matthew and Austin Smith; and Web Designers,Cappy Abraham, Gunster, Ira and Nikki Harris, Sidney and Dorothy Kohl, Sir Geoffrey and Lady Leigh, Howard and Patricia Lester, and Angela Reynolds. Corporate sponsors were PNC Private Bank and Saks Fifth AvenuePalm Beach.
With a mission to “open every mind to science,” the Science Center features more than 50 hands-on educational exhibits, an 8,000 gallon fresh and salt water aquarium- featuring both local and exotic marine life, a digital planetarium, conservation research station, Florida exhibit hall and an interactive Everglades exhibit.
The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is located at 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach and is open Monday – Friday from 9am-5pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm. For more information about the Science Center, please reach Marcy Hoffman, mhoffman@sfsciencecenter.org or 561.370.7738. For general information about the Science Center, call 561-832-1988 or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org. Like the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @SFScienceCenter.
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Photo credit: Lucien Capehart Photography