Michael Okaty Named UCF Board of Trustees Vice Chair

Michael Okaty ’96 ’97 has been elected vice chair of UCF’s Board of Trustees after a vote by his colleagues at the May 17 board meeting.

Okaty is a business lawyer and managing partner of Foley & Lardner LLP’s Orlando office who joined the UCF Board of Trustees in 2019.

“We are grateful to vice chair Okaty for his leadership and willingness to serve in this capacity,” UCF Board of Trustees Chair Alex Martins ’01MBA says. “I am proud of all of the talented individuals who serve on this board and the shared commitment to the work we are doing together to make UCF a preeminent university for the state of Florida.”

“I am looking forward to working with vice chair Okaty in his new role, alongside chair Martins and the rest of our board,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. “We are fortunate to have a fantastic group of highly accomplished trustees who challenge us and push us to do better, and I am confident we will continue to do great things on behalf of UCF.”

Okaty’s practice focuses on a wide variety of corporate transactions, governance and counseling. He was a first-generation student at UCF, earning bachelor’s degrees in finance and accounting and graduating magna cum laude. He also attended the New York University School of Law, where he received both his juris doctorate and master of laws degrees.

“UCF has been a big part of my personal and professional life, and I care deeply about the success of the university,” Okaty says. “I am honored to serve in this role, and I am looking forward to continuing to work alongside chair Martins, president Cartwright, the board, and members of the university community to move UCF forward in alignment with the best interests of our stakeholders.”

Okaty’s term as vice chair will conclude on June 30, 2025. His Board of Governors appointment to the Board of Trustees expires Jan. 6, 2025, and he is eligible for reappointment by the BOG.

Under the Florida Constitution, each state university is administered by a board of trustees consisting of 13 members.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the administration of UCF in a manner that is dedicated to and consistent with the university’s mission and with the mission and purposes of the State University System. This responsibility includes cost-effective policy decisions, the implementation and maintenance of high-quality education programs, and oversight of university performance, financial management and accountability, personnel, the reporting of information and compliance with laws, rules, regulations and requirements.

Learn more about the board at bot.ucf.edu.