The Dividends Show is a monthly program dedicated to bringing you all the latest news and information from MSU's College of Business. Each episode gives you an inside look at the College's programs and events, history, faculty, students, and alumni.
In the May 2024 episode of the Dividends Show, host Jeffrey Rupp speaks with John Walters, the new director of the Office of Technology Management (OTM). Walters, a Mississippi State alumnus, shares his journey from Itawamba County to his extensive career in enterprise software consulting and startups. He discusses his transition from Anderson Consulting to launching Periscope Holdings and other ventures, highlighting his entrepreneurial spirit.
Walters elaborates on his connection with the university, initially serving on the marketing advisory board and later joining the E-Center Advisory Board. He praises the E-Center for fostering innovation among students from diverse disciplines, emphasizing its role in forming interdisciplinary teams that bring business ideas to life. In his new role at OTM, Walters aims to manage and monetize the intellectual property generated from Mississippi State’s research labs. He outlines the importance of protecting intellectual property, finding licensing opportunities, and generating revenue streams that benefit both the university and the inventors.
The conversation highlights the collaborative synergy between the E-Center and OTM in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. Walters's experience and vision are poised to enhance Mississippi State's impact on statewide innovation and economic growth.