Michael Tomczyk - The Wharton Years

The Wharton Years

In 1995 he joined the Wharton School as Managing Director of the Emerging Technologies Management Research Program at the Wharton School, where he worked with a core group of faculty to develop a major management research program. The program subsequently became the Mack Center for Technological Innovation, which sponsors academic research and insight-building events to help organizations compete, survive and succeed in technology-driven industries.

As Managing Director of the Mack Center, Tomczyk serves as a bridge between academia and industry partners. In 1997 he originated an annual event called the Emerging Technologies Update Day, which showcases radical innovations looming on the near horizon. In 2000 he helped launch the BioSciences Crossroads Initiative in the Mack Center and in 2006 co-authored (with Paul J. H. Schoemaker) a major research report entitled: “The Future of BioSciences: Four Scenarios for 2020 and Their Implications for Human Healthcare” (May 2006). He has also written about gene therapy and a variety of other technologies. In 2010 (despite the recession) he led the recruitment of 10 new industry partners in the Mack Center, including General Motors, Lockheed-Martin, NASA, etc. Michael edits the Mack Center's website and an electronic newsletter launched in 2010; and teaches sessions on radical innovation in the Wharton Executive Education Program.

In 2011, he authored a chapter entitled "Applying the Marketing Mix (5 P's) to Bionanotechnology" in the book "Biomedical Nanotechnology" (Springer 2011).

He currently serves on the leadership committee for the IEEE/IEC initiative which is developing standards for Nanotechnology; he also serves on the advisory group for the Advanced Computing department at Temple University; and on the Commercialization Core committee developing translational medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.

Since joining Wharton in 1995 Tomczyk has helped launch five successful technology startups, as an advisor and/or board member. During the 1990s he helped corporations develop and implement their Internet strategies. He advises companies and government agencies on international technology projects and the impact of disruptive technologies. He keynotes two or three industry events each year on emerging technologies and innovation strategies; and teaches sessions in the Executive Education program at the Wharton School. He posts examples of radical innovations, and insights on innovation strategy, on his personal website.

Military Service. Michael Tomczyk served three years in the U.S. Army (1970-73 - highest rank Captain), working for military commands including the XVIII Airborne Corps (Ft. Bragg), lst Signal Brigade (Vietnam) and USASTRATCOM/United Nations Command (Korea). As Public Information Officer at Fort Bragg, he helped launch the Volunteer Army (VOLAR) which was being piloted in 1970. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in Vietnam (1971–72) and received the Army Commendation Medal for service in Korea (1973). He served in the Army Reserve after active duty.

Education. He holds an M.B.A. from U.C.L.A. and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, where he received a Distinguished Alumni Award. He earned a master's degree in environmental studies from the University of Pennsylvania in May 2010 (focus: technological solutions to environmental problems). His capstone project was entitled "The Paradoxes of Global Warming."

Publications. Michael began his career as a journalist and has published more than 150 articles, including a monthly column (as Contributing Editor) for Export Today; a column on BASIC programming for Compute's Gazette (The VIC Magician).; a business how-to column for the West Chester Daily News; and articles for Associated Press, the New York Times, Stars and Stripes, and many other publications. His memoir (THE HOME COMPUTER WARS, 1984) has become a collectible. His new book, NanoInnovation: What Every Manager Needs to Know, will be published in early 2013 by Wiley-VCH.