Emilio A. FernandezEmilio A. Fernandez has devoted his professional, civic and philanthropic life to technological and educational innovation. His dedication to the advancement of Stevens Institute of Technology exemplifies his belief in the value of education and his passion for empowering the talents of young people.

Mr. Fernandez’s ability to develop technological solutions for societal good began as an undergraduate student in electrical engineering at the University of Maryland. Before earning his degree, Mr. Fernandez and a fellow student formed Pulse Electronics to design electronic railway monitors and control systems. Pulse was later acquired by Wabtec, a Fortune 500 company, where Mr. Fernandez served as vice chair. The company has evolved to be the largest global provider of train safety and productivity technologies, with development labs and manufacturing facilities around the world.

Mr. Fernandez also founded a number of other companies focused on various technologies, from medical devices to residential energy-efficiency systems. In addition, he is the managing director of Pulse Capital, an early-stage private fund established to invest primarily in technology companies.

Mr. Fernandez holds 27 patents involving applications in diverse areas. One in the IT field defined e-reading devices such as the Kindle and became the most cited U.S. patent.

Mr. Fernandez earned a master’s degree in engineering management from George Washington University, where he is Emeritus Trustee. Mr. Fernandez was inducted into Maryland’s Clark School of Engineering Innovation Hall of Fame. He also received the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from George Washington University. He is also the recipient of countless civic and philanthropic awards. In 2019 at its annual Awards Gala, Stevens recognized him with the Friend of Stevens Award.

At Stevens, Mr. Fernandez served for six years as a trustee and chaired the Research Enterprise and Technology Commercialization Committee. At the conclusion of his second term in December 2021, the Board elected him an emeritus trustee. His commitment to innovation led to the development and endowment of iSTEM, a program that attracts and supports creative students who see interesting problems in the world around them and use their unique ways of thinking and innovative approaches to find solutions. The success of the Stevens program has led Mr. Fernandez to launch similar programs at other universities, with Stevens as the hub of an expanding network.

Mr. Fernandez has served on numerous cultural, academic and corporate boards, including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, the Foundation for a Creative America and the Hispanic Business College Fund. He has also chaired the George Washington University Hospital board.

Mr. Fernandez continues to nurture technology-based companies and help new entrepreneurs establish their first company. He enjoys traveling with family and friends and hunting from California to Burgundy for that exceptional and illusive bottle of pinot noir.