Thomas Bowermeister

Biography

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Mr. Bowermeister has been involved in the aerospace industry since 1976, working in both academic and industry positions. Some key highlights of his career include serving in the USAF as a fighter aircraft co-pilot in the F-4, F-111, and F-15E. He was also the Commander of the Florida State University AFROTC Detachment where he taught a senior class of officer candidates from 2000 to 2003 on National Security Issues. 

Since his retirement from the USAF in 2003, he has been a Center Faculty Chair and Assistant Professor with ERAU and also worked at Florida State University on numerous aerospace, health care and prevention (substances and violence) research projects. The aerospace projects involved an assessment of the aviation industry following the 9/11 attack and the Columbia Shuttle tragedy. The second involved a review of the Florida aviation industry’s entry level employment skills and requirements compared to the academic qualifications obtained by graduates of aerospace programs.

Mr. Bowermeister has been with ERAU for 18 years and has taught more than 50 classes at the graduate and undergraduate level on Human Factors and Aerospace Safety, National Security, Social Psychology and Aviation Psychology.

He is a licensed civilian pilot and has logged more than 2500 hours in seven different civilian and military aircraft. When not teaching at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, he enjoys flying and playing golf. He was also employed at Florida State University as the Director of the Florida Center for Prevention Research (FCPR) until 2019.

Education

• M.A.S. - Master of Aeronautical Science in Aviation Aerospace Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• M.Ed. - Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services, University of Maryland-College Park
• M.A. - Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College

Currently Teaching

• ASCI 604: Human Factors Avia/Aero Indus

Courses Taught

PSYC 350 - Social Psychology
PSYC 320 - Aviation Psychology
ASCI 604 - Human Factors Engineering
SFTY 320 - Human Factors in Aviation
SCTY 488 - National Security and Terrorism (As of Mar 2013)

Professional Experience

27 Years in the Air Force, Retired Colonel
14 years flying RF-4, F-111, F-15E (2500 hours, 300 combat hours)
3 Years teaching a Senior-level college course on National Security at Florida State Univ.
18 years as ERAU instructor (3 years as the CFC at Moody AFB Center and Tallahassee Teaching Site)

Memberships and Credentials

Air Force Academic Instructor's Course
Air Force Leadership Course