Michael S. Tomczyk

Michael Tomczyk is one of the world's leading authorities on radical innovation. During his career he has been a technology pioneer, corporate executive, entrepreneur, consultant and academic director.

Most recently, he has been researching and writing a series of books on radical/disruptive innovations. The first book in this series - NanoInnovation: What Every Manager Needs to Know (Wiley, 2014) - reveals what's "really happening" in the field of nanotechnology. To get the inside story, Michael interviewed more than 150 nano-insiders which allowed him to tell many of their stories in their own words. His book includes a short history of nanoinnovation, lessons from the first wave of nanoventures, breakthroughs that are currently underway, and advances in research that provide early clues to some of the most exciting and dramatic innovations looming on the near horizon. Examples range from nanomedical breakthroughs that are saving lives, to 2D materials one atom thick that are stronger than steel, and fun examples such as a dry adhesive based on the structure of a gecko's footpads. This is the most comprehensive book written to-date on innovations in nanotechnology.

As a technology pioneer, Michael is best known as the "marketing father" of the first home computer. In 1980, he joined Commodore in Santa Clara, California, as marketing strategist and assistant to Commodore-founder Jack Tramiel. Jack and Michael were frustrated that the home computer revolution was taking so long to get started. When Tramiel declared that he wanted to make computers "for the masses, not the classes," Michael embraced the challenge, wrote a 30 page memo detailing what he thought the new computer should include, and was given responsibility for guiding the development and launch of the VIC-20, which became the first million-seller microcomputer and the basis for the best selling Commodore 64. His experiences at Commodore were recounted in his 1984 book, The Home Computer Wars - which he is currently updating and planning to publish in a Kindle edition.

In 1995, after a distinguished career as a business development consultant, Michael was invited to help launch the Emerging Technologies Management Research Program at the prestigious Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania). For nearly 20 years, he provided managerial leadership to the ET program, which was expanded in 2001 to become the Mack Center for Technological Innovation, and in 2013 became the Mack Institute for Innovation Management. As Managing Director, Michael worked with Wharton faculty as well as industry leaders at such innovative organizations as Procter & Gamble, IBM, Intel, FedEx, J&J, Pfizer, NASA, etc. Michael retired from the University of Pennsylvania in 2014 and joined Villanova University's Center for Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) where he is currently Innovator in Residence.

Michael holds two master's degrees - an M.B.A. from U.C.L.A. and a master's in environmental studies from the University of Pennsylvania.

He served 3 years as an active duty Army officer (highest rank, captain) with tours at Fort Bragg, in Vietnam and Korea; and several years in the Army Reserves. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service, Army Commendation Medal and Airborne Badge.

He is currently working on his next book, which focuses more broadly on radical and disruptive innovations that have the potential to dramatically transform the future.