Florida Institute of Technology

Dr. Walton Abram Walton is an Associate Professor and has been actively researching in the fields of Innovation and Product Lifecycle Management for the past decade. He currently serves as the founding Director of Florida Tech’s Center for Lifecycle and Innovation Management. He received his Bachelors of Science in Management Information Systems at Northwest Nazarene University (2001), and his Masters of Science (2006) and Ph.D. (2009) in Technology, Leadership, and Innovation at Purdue University. He was awarded Purdue’s top Graduate Student Excellence award in 2009 for his combined efforts in research, teaching, engagement, and grantsmanship. Dr. Walton joined Florida Tech in 2012 and was the leader in helping Florida Tech obtain access to the cutting edge PTC Creo and Windchill Technologies through his Center for Lifecycle and Innovation Management. He has authored numerous manuscripts and given many conference presentations on topics related to new product development, innovation, and technology commercialization. He is the Managing Editor for the International Journal of Innovation Science, he serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the International Association of Innovation Professionals, and is the Founding Chairman of the Space Coast Economic Development Commission’s Innovation Council. He was an invited Fellow for the National Knowledge and Intellectual Property Management Task Force, and achieved certification for Research Commercialization from the National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer. Dr. Walton has developed a number of academic programs related to new product development and innovation and currently serves as the Program Chair for Florida Tech’s M.S. in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.