Martindale Center: New Director Named

Economics Prof. Todd Watkins was named executive director of the Martindale Center for the Study of Private Enterprise. He is only the second person to lead the center since its inception in 1980.

Watkins succeeds J. Richard Aronson, who retired.

Watkins, who has a deep interest in international and economic matters, was the founding executive director of the Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation. He also co-founded the Integrated Product Development program at Lehigh. He has served as principal adviser for dozens of entrepreneurial startup companies as well as international, development-oriented organizations started by students.

Watkins received his bachelor’s degree in optical design from the University of Rochester and his master’s and Ph.D. in public policy from Harvard University. His research and teaching have focused on the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, public policy and economic development.

The Martindale Center advances educational and scholarly programs to increase understanding of the U.S. economy and its relationship to the world economy. Martindale’s Student Associates have traveled to more than 20 countries, including Portugal and the Czech Republic.