Omar Ahmad, a graduate of UF MSE died this week at the age of 46. Omar received his B.S. degree in 1986? An avid programer he helped write the first website for the Discovery channel and for Netscape and was one of the co-founders of Napster. A serial entrepreneur he participated in start-ups and most recently started an energy company SynCH Energy Corporation which gave him a chance to get back to his MSE roots.

This company used a zeolite to convert methane to gasoline. The product is aimed at improving carbon capture and creating gasoline from the methane produced at waste treatment plants. He was truly a visionary but he also had a wonderful way with people. He loved managing and was recently elected the mayor of San Carlos California. He was instrumental in managing the city and helping to correct its multimillion dollar financial problems. He wasinstrumental in helping the UF MSE department start an entrepreneurship program in California. He will be greatly missed by all those who had the opportunity to know him. He was a uniquely gifted individual. Omar is survived by his father, Iftikhar Ahmad; his mother, Nadira Ahmad; and sisters Leah Berry and Fataima Warner

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/05/10/BA1Q1JEG0V.DTL

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/bay-area/2011/05/san-carlos-mayor-omar-ahmad-dies-46-colleagues-stunned