UF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER RETURNS TO FLORIDA TO LEAD IN PHOSPHATE MINING FIELD
When Bruce Bodine graduated from the University of Florida with his Environmental Engineering degree in 1995, he probably did not know that his career would take him all the way north to Saskatchewan, Canada, from his hometown in Lakeland, and then back 25 years later. As he progressed up the management ladder from his first job as a manager at the Four Corners mine to his current position as the Senior Vice President – Phosphates at Mosaic, he transitioned from his engineering focus into supply chain management. Next, he advanced to division management with his move to Saskatchewan to head the agricultural fertilizer company’s potash division. As part of a promotion at the beginning of 2019, Bodine is now back in Florida, and closer to his Alma Mater, the University of Florida.
Throughout his career growth and transitions, environmental consciousness has always been a critical thread in his vision at work, thanks to his engineering education. “Even though (at Mosaic) we surpass all compliance requirements for our industry today, we are continuously looking for innovations that can elevate the environmental focus within our business,” Bodine said. “One of our biggest emphases on environmental sustainability is the environmental health and safety of our employees and the communities in which we operate.”
Amidst his focus on the people and the company on which his 25-year career has been built, he has never lost his characteristic Gator outlook, “I am looking forward to returning to UF to see my college,” Bodine said. “A lot has changed since I graduated – even the name, Engineering School for Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment (ESSIE).” Bodine firmly believes that the practical problem-solving and deductive reasoning skills provided by his engineering degree has enabled him to consistently resolve complex issues in his various positions at Mosaic.
Bodine is also excited to come back and see more Gator football games. “Beyond my engineering education, the winning atmosphere UF provided – especially Gator athletics – showed me that in business, competitiveness matters. It was fun to be there in the late 80’s and early 90’s to see all the teams winning and absorb that winning spirit.”
Bodine and his wife Amy, who is also a Gator Engineering graduate, met during their time at UF. They have three children, the oldest of whom is currently an engineering student. Diversity and inclusion matter to the Bodines, and they are looking to see how engineering at UF has changed in that direction over the years, too.
Welcome home, Bruce and Amy!