Launch into IA

Launch into Innovation Academy

Join Innovation Academy to Launch into IA. Launch Into IA is our convocation for new Innovation Academy students. The event kicks off the academic year and welcomes new IA students to the University of Florida.

• Attendance at Launch into IA is mandatory for all first-year students.
• Business professional attire is required.

Keynote Speaker: Rob Jones

Retired U.S. Marine and Leadership Instructor at Echelon Front

Upon his retirement from the Marines, Rob was forced to adapt to a new way of being a leader. To do this, he turned to the world of sports. In 2012, he competed in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, England, bringing home a bronze medal in rowing. In 2013, he became the first double above-knee amputee to ride a bicycle across the United States, riding 5,181 miles from Bar Harbor, Maine to Camp Pendleton, California. In 2017, he ran 31 marathons in 31 consecutive days in 31 different cities.

Throughout this journey, Rob has relied upon the principles taught at Echelon Front to turn the darkest moment of his life into a life of impact—more meaningful than he ever could have expected. Rob now brings his experience to Echelon Front to help teams of people take Extreme Ownership and overcome the challenges they face in business and in life.