Florida State University selects aerospace leader, test pilot as executive director of FSU InSPIRE

Drew Allen brings more than 20 years of military aviation experience to FSU’s multimillion-dollar regional research and innovation institute.

Florida State University has tapped aerospace leader and decorated test pilot Drew Allen to head its high-impact initiative, InSPIRE — the Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research and Education.

InSPIRE is FSU’s effort to turn Northwest Florida into a hub for aerospace and defense innovation. The institute focuses on applied research, high-speed aerodynamics, advanced manufacturing and building a strong STEM workforce.

Allen brings more than two decades of military aviation experience and a strong track record in defense research and partnerships. He joins FSU from the Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute, where he helped secure more than $50 million in federal contracts and built collaborations with more than 25 aerospace and defense companies in just two years.

InSPIRE bridges university research with industry needs and includes partnerships with major regional players like Bay Economic Development Alliance, Florida’s Great Northwest and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.

Triumph Gulf Coast, a nonprofit that manages economic recovery funds from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, is a major supporter of InSPIRE. It provided $98.4 million in grant funding for the effort. FSU will invest another $65 million over the next decade and aims to raise more than $235 million in external grants.

“InSPIRE is how we’re helping Northwest Florida lead in innovation and supply top talent for the growing aerospace and defense industries,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “Drew’s background is a great match to lead this work.”

Allen, a former U.S. Air Force commander and the only pilot ever qualified in every modern USAF fighter jet — the F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35 and F-117 — has led teams of thousands and managed budgets topping $1 billion.

He starts June 1 and succeeds founding director Farrukh Alvi, who will stay at FSU as Senior Associate Provost and remain involved with InSPIRE’s Advisory Council and research work.

“Drew brings exactly what InSPIRE needs right now,” said FSU Vice President for Research Stacey Patterson. “He knows how to connect with defense and industry partners, secure funding and get new facilities off the ground.”

Allen said he’s honored to take on the role.

“This industry is essential and personally meaningful to me,” Allen said. “I look forward to working with the team to advance InSPIRE’s mission and impact.”

About FSU InSPIRE
The Institute for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Research, and Education (InSPIRE) is accelerating breakthroughs in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. At the core of this effort are dedicated partners working together to establish Northwest Florida as a national center of innovation, driving regional economic growth. Demonstration facilities are being developed for end-to-end production, aero-testing and immersive training in STEM. Local, regional, and national members of an industry alliance are embedding employees at InSPIRE, collaborating with researchers and faculty from FSU, its partners, and business and community leaders to develop and productionize aerospace, defense, and energy solutions, while offering hands-on learning to students and aspiring engineers in Northwest Florida. FSU InSPIRE launched with an initial grant from Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. Learn more at inspire.fsu.edu.

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