Frederick Ferrer

After graduating High School worked in Fort Myers for a year, then enlisted in the Air Force. Served for 20 years as an Intelligence collector as a Russian, Spanish and Italian linguist; became an ATC Master Instructor and finished my career as a Senior Intelligence Community Leadership Program manager. Finished my Master's degree in Strategic Intelligence before retiring from the military and then went to school for three years at Florida State, teaching and working on a PhD in History. Since then have worked in Homeland Security and Defense; Cyber Strategy and now as Program Manager and Branch Chief in a State Fusion Center's Anti-Terrorism Division and functioning as an FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force Officer.

Married the love of my life in 1985 and helped her to raise four children. Three of the four are now married and we have six wonderful grandkids. Have been blessed that they've all lived near us until this last year, when one of our younger twin girls married and moved to Texas. Our entire family is deeply committed to Christ. I have served as a church Elder; our son is a Pastor and two of our three daughters have worked in a church.

Came from a VERY small school (about 120 in the entire high school). When I was 15, my mother died and I was forced to move to Florida to live with my father and his family.

A bit of a SHOCK to be at a school that was so overcrowded that we were on split sessions. Drug use, racial tensions, etc,...was all a new (and somewhat disturbing) to me in the school social setting. Took the bus over from Cape Coral.

Only attended Cypress during Sophomore and Junior years and graduated early to join the workforce. I did come back for graduation, which was the first I learned that I had qualified for the National Honor Society--an example of how distant I was from school activities. Didn't join any clubs and don't remember attending many after school activities. I think I did go to Grad Night. No plays, no dances, no prom. I wasn't an outcast, but didn't really fit in with any particular clique or group. Knew few people.

I was impressed with the ROTC cadre (had a few in some of my classes) but never joined. Little did I know that a year out of High School, I would enlist and spend the next 20 years in uniform....and continue to serve our country in various capacities my entire adult life.

Born and raised in Ohio (until 15).
Moved to Florida and lived there from 1975-1979 (until I enlisted).
In the military was stationed in: California (twice for language schools--2 years); Texas (3 times for 6 years); Florida again (Spanish mission - 3 years); and Maryland (6 years).
After my military service, have lived in Florida (third time - another 3 years); Maryland (second time - another 4 years) and now in Pennsylvania (9 years).

Stationed in Italy while assigned there as a Russian intelligence collector.
While in Italy, took opportunities to travel to Greece, France, Holland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Have traveled through Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
California--that counts as a "foreign" country, doesn't it? :)

Play guitar and drums....go back to Italy to visit friends and family that I made while living there 30+ years ago.i

Famous? Interesting? Guess that's in the eye of the beholder. I've had the opportunity to meet and work with some high-level politicians, military officers and Intelligence Community leaders. But, then again, I've been disappointed by many of them too.

I've had some VERY positive interactions with Porter Goss, both as a Congressman and when he was the Director of CIA. As D/CIA he welcomed a friend of mine (who was dying of brain cancer) to his office for a social visit. We had coffee, Porter went out of his way to thank him for his service to the nation and presented him with some CIA gifts that would later go to his children when he passed. I meant a lot to my friend and showed me the true character of Goss! THAT is the kind of leader, I'd gladly serve and follow!

I have a couple interesting Clint Eastwood stories from when I lived in Carmel, California (where he was mayor) while learning some foreign languages at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey.

Ha! Too many things I'd rather forget all of the "bad" things that sometimes weigh heavy on my heart. I've have broken EVERY one of God's ten commandments and am only saved through the grace of Christ's sacrifice.

Fill out biographical details on class reunion sites! :) Practice with weapons; spend time with family and grandkids (sometimes practicing with weapons); catch terrorists.

My first three "cassette tapes" for my car were Kansas, Boston and Fleetwood Mac. I think back to MANY of those songs from the 70's with joy! Love hearing so many make their come-backs via modern movies like Galaxy Quest.