Background
Thornton, J. Ronald was born on August 19, 1939 in Fayetteville, Tennessee, United States. Son of James Alanda and Thelma White (McGee) Thornton.
Thornton, J. Ronald was born on August 19, 1939 in Fayetteville, Tennessee, United States. Son of James Alanda and Thelma White (McGee) Thornton.
Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics, Berry College, 1961. Master of Arts in Physics, Wake Forest College, 1964. Postgraduate, University Alabama, 1966.
Postgraduate, Rollins College, 1970.
Research physicist, Brown Engineering Company, Huntsville, Alabama, 1963-1966;
senior staff engineer, Martin Marietta Corporation, Orlando, Florida, 1966-1975;
deputy director, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, 1976-1977;
executive assistant, Congressman Louis Frey, Junior, Orlando, 1978;
president, Tens Tec, Inc., Orlando, 1978-1979;
director Southern Technology Applications Center, U. Florida, Gainesville, since 1979. Board directors, treasurer North Florida Technology Innovation Center, since 1994. Member lightwave technical committee Florida High Technology and Industrial Council, Tallahassee, 1986-1993, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Technology Transfer Executive Committee, Washington, since 1987, Javits Fellowship Board, Washington, 1986-1991, Governor's New Product Award Committee, Tallahassee, since 1988, Florida K-12 Mathematics Science and Computer Science Education Quality Improvement Advisory Council, 1989-1992, Florida Science Education Improvement Advisory Committee, 1991-1992.
Board directors Florida-National Aeronautics and Space Administration Business Incubation Center.
President Orange County Young Republican Club, Orlando, 1970-1971. Treasurer Florida Federation Young Representatives, Orlando, 1971-1972. Chairman Florida Federation Young Representatives, Orlando, 1972-1974.
President Gainesville Area Innovation Network, 1988-1989. Member Berry College Alumni Council, 2006^. Member Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Society Manufacturing Engineers, Technology Transfer Society (president 1999, board directors 1996—2001, Thomas Jefferson award 1999), National Association Management and Technology Assistance Centers (board directors 1988, president 1992), Covenant President Church (Fainesville, Football Club)(elder).
Married Mary Beth Packard, June 14, 1964 (divorced April 1975). 1 child, Nancy Carole. Married Martha Klemann, January 23, 1976 (divorced April 1982).
1 child, Trey; Married Bernice McKinney, February 14, 1986. 1 child, Paul Leon.