Over the last decade, Panama has been going through an economic renaissance. Trade is booming, technology is thriving and the opportunities are endless. Three graduates of the School of Information have found success in the country’s bustling economy.
Michael Lindo (BS IT ’12) may be Miami-born, but he was Panama-raised. Lindo came to Florida State in 2008 to pursue a degree in Information Technology.
“IT had the perfect mix of classes focused in fields of computer science, business administration, and communication skills; topics that are crucial for any organization or company in today’s world,” said Lindo.
Lindo returned to Panama post-graduation and began work at as a Project Manager at Banco General, Panama’s biggest bank. Lindo was exposed to interdisciplinary work within the IT, Marketing and Product Development Departments. His most valuable lesson: there is an absolute need for a well communicated team regardless of individual functions.
In September 2014, Lindo left Banco General to pursue a personal project with friends. Cloud computing was changing the world and Lindo wanted to offer modern technology solutions to the Panamanian population. Thus, BlueTide IT Consulting was born. The startup is dedicated to bringing the best standards in Information Technology services, focusing on three areas: Data Products, Cloud Tools and Web Presence.
“We began the company as Authorized Google Apps for Work resellers and have been growing ever since,” he shared.
In five years, Lindo sees himself leading BlueTide with a Master’s degree. “Mostly, I wish to work in a company where I feel proud and happy to wake up every morning and drive to.”
Adolfo Lopez (BS Information Technology, BA International Affairs, 2013) is a self proclaimed technophile. Since he was twelve, he’s been “that guy” for technology help. He describes data as the economy’s “new oil” and claims it is one of the most valuable assets to have as a company. Lopez graduated and returned to Panama to work with BSecure.
Out of school, Lopez joined BSecure as a salesman, furthering the reach of BSecure’s technology which allows remote monitoring of home security. Turn on your alarm system, turn off the lights, check security cams, and much more – all via cell phone. He worked his way up to Marketing and Sales Manager and was afforded the opportunity to invest and become a shareholder in BSecure.
In his day-to-day, you can find Lopez worked in online campaigns, developing partnerships with new real estate, and retooling an app for customers. In short, his job is a perfect blend of his IT education at Florida State. With emphasis on technical skills and communication strategy, Lopez left FSU with a modern education that translated to the real world.
In five years, Lopez sees his company expanding to the international market, focusing on Central America and the Caribbean.