Michael McEvoy, a 1975 computer science graduate, is still driving innovation and change. As CEO of iTrek, he is building the next generation of Photoshop, Premiere and After Effects, and the World Wide Web using location and AI to bring consumers and businesses together. His career history since graduating from Rose-Hulman includes agile start-up organizations to serving as a CTO and CIO for Johnson & Johnson and the senior director leading product development for Photoshop, Premiere, and After Effects at Adobe Systems.

Through his experience and current role at iTrek, he has a lesson to impart on computer science students.

“If you are not incorporating AI, you are not on the leading edge of computer science,” said McEvoy. In the case of iTrek, his work goes beyond AI; it’s integrating AI into a new Web standard. “Working together is the key; standards are the way” and his teams have helped drive the development of Web standards including XML, the DOM and JPG.

McEvoy credits Rose-Hulman for helping bring him to where he is today. “I was fortunate to start my education in physics and electrical engineering before I specialized in computer science and in particular the application of microprocessors in distributed systems,” he said. “This prepared me to be a part of the team to develop the first handheld cellular phones for Motorola (the DynaTAC phone), interactively programmed machine tools for Hurco Manufacturing of Indianapolis, and Robotic solutions at Cybotech that welded rocket engines for the Space Shuttle, built stealth aircraft, inspected Boeing aircraft, welded Caterpillar earthmoving equipment, and assembled automobiles.”

“Without a broad-based computer education including hardware and software, this would not have been possible,” he said.” Rose-Hulman presented McEvoy with the Honor Alumni Award in 2020 for his professional accomplishments.

McEvoy encourages Rose’s current computer science students to form close relationships with both professors and fellow students across all the disciplines available at Rose, as well as develop a broad base of skills in technology and engineering. Additionally, he notes, “The friendships built at Rose-Hulman will last a lifetime, as will your relationship with Rose.”