Hudson (BS ’72) Reflects on Career Success

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WASHINGTON, D.C.: Loren Thompson, contributor to Forbes, sat down with BAE Systems, Inc., CEO and ISE Hall of Famer Linda Hudson (BS SE 1972) on inauguration day to reflect on the career of the often coined “First Lady of Defense.”  The story begins in her formative days in Georgia and Leesburg, Florida, where she grew up with school teacher parents and dreamed of being a pilot or astronaut.  She attended UF, receiving a degree in Systems Engineering with honors, at a time when women were scarce in engineering.  In addition to her BAE duties, she now resides on the Board for Bank of America as well as the Board of the UF Foundation.  She is also active in College of Engineering, as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board and that of the Engineering Leadership Institute.  She has established a scholarship in ISE, among her many gifts to the university.