Meet the Team

MEET THE

RESEARCH TEAM

DEBORAH WEBSTER

was born and raised in the Philadelphia area, spending summers in Ocean City, New Jersey. She relocated to the Space Coast in the summer of 2015, after frequent visits to family over the past 20 years. In her role as Research and Analytics Director, she supports the Marketing team with data to best research visitors to Florida’s Space Coast. Deborah is a graduate of Widener University and spent 15 years as an educator. She has two daughters; Anna Grace, 17 and Charlotte, 15 and lives in the Eau Gallie Arts District area.

MIKE SLOTKIN, PH.D.

Dr. Mike Slotkin is a tenured Professor of Economics in the College of Business at the Florida Institute of Technology. Mike earned his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and teaches a variety of courses in the MBA and undergraduate programs. He regularly consults through FIT Consulting, and recently co-authored an economic impact study of NASA KSC activities in Florida. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Mike resides in the town of Grant-Valkaria with his life partner Karen and their three big, beautiful cats: Zippy, Curry, and Luna.

ALEX VAMOSI, PH.D.

is an Associate Professor in the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business at the Florida Institute of Technology where he has been a faculty member since 2001. He also served as the Associate Dean of Academics at the College from 2007 to 2015. Alex completed his Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and his undergraduate and master’s studies at the University of Alberta, Canada. His research interests involve statistical and quantitative analysis in the areas of environmental and regional economics, sustainability and ecotourism. Alex has collaborated actively on over thirty economic impact studies, and has presented papers on these topics both locally and internationally. He is an avid EPL fan and enjoys reading historical fiction, mystery and fantasy novels.

NATALIE SHAH, MBA

Natalie Shah, MBA is a graduate student in the College of Business at Florida Institute of Technology. Natalie served as an intern for Space Coast Tourism and continues to utilize the knowledge from this experience and her MBA program to serve as a Resident Director at Florida Tech. Natalie seeks to gain knowledge and grow from different opportunities and projects.

Contributors Sources

Heidi Hatfield Edwards, Ph.D. Heidi Hatfield Edwards, Ph.D. is professor of communication, and chair of communication programs in the School of Arts and Communication at Florida Institute of Technology. Her research focuses on the cultural and societal implications of communication regarding social issues, particularly in regard to health, science and technology. Edwards earned her bachelor’s degree in telecommunication from the University of Florida, and her master’s and Ph.D. in journalism and mass communication at the University of WisconsinMadison and University of Georgia, respectively.

SpaceX photo credit, page 44. Malcolm Denemark / FLORIDA TODAY, photo credit for page 17. Downs & St. Germain Research specializes in tourism research for state and local destination marketing organizations. They are frequent presenters at Destinations Florida and other tourism organizations as they strive to establish professional standards for conducting tourism research. Other major travel and tourism clients include Delta Air Lines, Boeing, Club Med, United Airlines, Florida Sports Foundation, American Society of Travel Agents, and several hotels and resorts. Tiffany Minton Tiffany Minton is a Florida native & a Space Coast local who loves the beach, photography, boating and traveling. Photo credit, the cover and pages 6 - 9, 21, 23, 30, 38 - 39 & 72. Kevin M. Sacket, photo credit, page 71. Flickr, photo credit, pages 25, 42 & 43, 45, 45 & 47, 51 & 53 - 55.