Meet USF’s six Outstanding Young Alumni

Jonathan Davila, Biomedical Sciences ’11, is the president and co-founder of Vū, a creative technology company at the forefront of transforming content creation with its software platform powered by artificial intelligence. Under Davila’s leadership, Vū has enabled creators to make content at the speed of thought.

Q. Why have you been successful and what about your journey has been most surprising?
A. For success, my faith in God and my parents, who taught me to work hard and that you can control your destiny with the effort you put forth. You have to believe in yourself and put in that work. My hard right? I intended to become a doctor and in my final year at USF, I instead partnered with my business partner — my roommate. Sometimes when you see opportunity, you have to just take it.

Q. What are your thoughts about artificial intelligence and the impacts it may have on your business?
A. AI is both exciting and potentially risky. When combined with video production and creative technologies, it’s like peanut butter and jelly. Generative AI helps create scenes and backgrounds that would be impossible to capture on camera. It will enhance our industry and open up new opportunities for filmmakers.

Shane McClanahan, Political Science 2015-18, is a star pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays, a two-time Major League Baseball All-Star and the Rays’ 2023 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, MLB’s most prestigious individual honor.

Q. You have a longstanding relationship with Buddy Baseball, a league for children with special needs. What drew you to that program?
A. My mother was a special-needs schoolteacher, so I was always helping out in the classroom. USF offered the Buddy Baseball program, and I took full advantage. It blossomed into this partnership where they come to Tropicana Field every Monday and I get to go out there and see all my friends. It’s the most fulfilling thing in the world — the smiles and the joy those kids have, you can’t beat it. It’s way better than anything I do baseball-wise.

Q. As a college athlete moving to the big leagues, you go through a process of self-realization — and suddenly see yourself as the world sees you.  What was your experience?
A. When I saw the first person, a kid, wearing my jersey. I thought that was pretty cool. I made it a point to say, “Hey, thanks.” And then I thought, “He sees a lot in me, and I better pull myself to a high standard and not let people down.”

Corbyn Lichon, Accounting ’13, Life Member, is chief accounting officer for one of the 20 largest insurance brokerage firms in the nation, The Baldwin Group.  

Q. What has led to your success?
A. I said “Yes” to many challenging opportunities presented throughout my career, knowing that each challenge would build my skill set. Saying “Yes” brought me to The Baldwin Group, where I played an integral part in taking the company through an initial public offering in five months.  

Q. You’re an enthusiastic scuba diver. What’s the appeal?  
A. I can’t do my job underwater! Scuba diving is one of the few hobbies I have where I can completely disconnect. It’s amazing seeing sharks swim right in front of you and seeing marine life that you wouldn’t otherwise see on land.

Kyle L. McIntyre, Political Science ’15, is deputy director of congressional affairs at Headquarters U.S. Space Force, where he provides strategic planning and synchronization support for Space Force activities with Congress.

Q. What is the Space Force, and what does it do?
A. Space Force was a bipartisan idea that had been bubbling for a long time. We took space assets from around the Department of Defense and other areas and put them under one roof within the Department of the Air Force. … Space is ingrained in everything we do. The GPS on your phone, electronic banking, the stock market, just about everything has some tie to space. The mission is to protect those systems.

Q. Do you think you’ll go into space?
A. No! I’m not a fan of rollercoasters!

George Papadeas, Marketing ’13, Life Member, is chief operating officer of Next Net Media, a $40 million-plus digital marketing portfolio company, comprising seven brands.  

Q. How would your life be different without USF?
A. There would be no NextNet Media. We hired 18 fabulous part-time team members from USF St. Pete back in 2016 to open up our call center and most of them are now full time and still with the company. Without USF, there’s no wife for me. There’s no best friendship — the best man at my wedding was my best friend at college. USF has shaped my current life, my past and my future.

Q. How do you stay ahead in a rapidly changing field like digital marketing?
A. Being able to acquire startup companies to teach us what we just don’t know is very important. I credit our CEO for making sure that we bring on those strategic acquisitions so that we can stay at the forefront.

Janae Thomas, MPA ’18 and PhD ’23, is an associate at Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., focusing her practice on defending long-term care matters. She’s also a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps.

Q. You have a wide range of education and interests, from science to business to law, children and vulnerable adults. How do you set priorities?
A. I do what pays the bills first, then I focus on everything else. I have a “Little Sister,” Tenaya, who I’ve been with since she was 7. She’s going to be 16 this year. On Saturdays, I’ve made time to go get her and spend time with her. She’s part of the family now. … Volunteering in general makes me feel good. We try to do things that make us feel good — after the bills get paid.

Q. To what do you attribute your success?
A. I am standing on the shoulders of giants. Like my mom told me today, “Failure’s not an option in my household.” ... USF taught me to be a scholar, to look deeper into issues, to understand that life isn’t always as black and white as it seems.