John Martinson 

John Martinson obtained a master’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering in 1971, following his graduation from the United States Air Force Academy the previous year. During his military service, he completed 500 combat missions in Vietnam, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. Martinson pursued a career in management and marketing at American Cyanamid before gaining entrepreneurial experience at Exxon Enterprises. In 1979, he joined InnoVen Group, a national venture capital firm based in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, which attracted major investments from such corporations as Monsanto, Emerson Electric, and Anheuser-Busch, all based in St. Louis. In 1986, Martinson established his own venture capital firm, Edison Partners, which has since invested more than $2 billion in 230 companies along the East Coast, focusing on software and services for healthcare, education, finance, marketing and business applications. Additionally, Martinson Ventures, his latest investment firm, serves as a primary investor in 42 emerging companies. He also has invested in 35 private companies and 25 private equity partnerships, as well as served on the boards of 80 companies. Among accolades, Martinson was recognized as the 18th Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Academy. Today, Purdue is home to the John Martinson Honors College, ranked among the top 20 honors colleges in the country, and the John Martinson Entrepreneurial Center.