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Husson University Professor Spoke at White House on Technology Commercialization

Published on: April 29, 2024

A man in a grey suit stands next to a sign on a display that says "White House Open Roundtable Commercializing Climate and Clean Energy Technologies; April 24th, 2024."

Husson University’s Brien Walton, director of the Dyke Center for Family Business, was recently invited to speak at the White House during a roundtable discussion focusing on tackling the climate crisis through actionable methods of spurring the development of clean energy and climate technologies. 

The roundtable discussion was held in honor of Earth Day, a day set aside yearly to honor the planet and ecology. It brought together senior members of the Biden-Harris Administration with leaders from the Department of Energy, the U.S. National Science Foundation, universities, venture capital firms and law firms.

“I am so honored to have been invited to the White House for this important event to stimulate innovation in the clean energy space. My expertise is in business development so I bring fresh eyes to the problem of climate change technology and an emphasis on sustainable business planning,” Walton said.

Walton was also named the second place winner in the inaugural EnergyTech University Prize Faculty Track competition. He created an innovative strategic plan for a clean energy and conservation incubator and accelerator that would leverage existing clean energy plans and patents and match them with emerging businesses.

“Brien Walton is one of the nation’s leading experts on business incubators and the development of small business and Husson is fortunate to have an educator of his caliber bringing such innovative ideas and experiences to our students,” said Marie Hansen, dean of the College of Business and the New England School of Communications.

A group of people is shown together standing at the end of a board room table with a sign that indicates it's a roundtable discussion on commercializing climate and clean energy technology.

At the event, directors from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and senior White House staff focused on exploring the challenges of technology commercialization. Solutions like Walton’s — hybrid incubators that can provide tangible, scalable and accessible solutions — were noted as a national priority that will receive more support in 2024. It was also noted that the potential collaboration of the academic, industry and entrepreneurial ecosystems is a priority for some government agencies, which is expected to increase inclusion and diversity amongst entrepreneurs and support entrepreneurs in underserved, distressed and rural communities.

“Husson University is committed to providing unique and cutting-edge opportunities to students, as is demonstrated by Brien Walton’s award-winning plan to create a clean energy and conservation incubator and accelerator to help advance technology through business advancement. We are thrilled to be part of the conversation and excited for all that is to come,” said Lynne Coy-Ogan, vice president for academic affairs, provost and president-elect.

For more than 125 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University offers quality educational programs in business, technology, communications, health, education, pharmacy studies, science and humanities. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.