An Innovation Success Story
Mr. Albert Di Rienzo, President & CEO, Blue Highway Inc.
ABSTRACT
Innovation is the buzz word in academic, government and industry settings for creating company
differentiation, profitability, economic development, improved quality-of-life, and even wealth. It seems to
hold great promise, yet is often quite illusive. Why is translation from research to commercialization so
difficult, and how can it be achieved within diverse settings? During this presentation, creating a culture
of innovation, including the pitfalls to avoid will be discussed, and examples of some innovations will be
presented.
BIOGRAPHY
Building his career on a foundation of expertise in scientific, technological and business leadership, Al Di
Rienzo has contributed significantly to the advancement of commercial, defense and healthcare
applications. In the span of 28 years, his career in academia and industry includes appointments with the
Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute at Syracuse University, Welch Allyn, Phillips Medical
Systems, Siemens Medical Systems, Honeywell/Sperry Aerospace and General Dynamics. In recent
years, Al has been recognized twice as the Medical MindXchange Most Valuable Thought Leader by
Frost & Sullivan (2006, 2011), and as the Technologist of the Year by the Technology Alliance of Central
New York (2009).
In 2008, Al transitioned from being Welch Allyn’s Chief Science & Technology Officer to being the
President & CEO of Blue Highway. Blue Highway—formally a subsidiary of Welch Allyn, now a subsidiary
of Syracuse University—focuses on science and technology acceleration (from ideation to proof-ofconcept), translational research, economic development, and professional services to academia,
government and industry, with its primary focus being healthcare.
Connecting his expertise to community involvement, Al served for three years on the inaugural National
Biodefense Science Board. In 2010, he received a certificate of appreciation from the Department of
Health & Human Services for his dedication in developing relevant recommendations concerning both
current and future threats posed by naturally occurring and manmade chemical, biological, radiological
and nuclear threats. Additionally, Al has spoken to the U.S. Senate Manufacturing Caucus concerning
the impact of research and development on manufacturing innovation; participated in a U.S/Northern
Ireland economic summit upon request of the Secretary of State; and advised the New York State
Economic Task Force on matters of academic and industry collaboration. Al also participated in a
Defense Threat Reduction Agency activity concerning medical countermeasures for biological events. He
is a frequent presenter, moderator and advisor for international, national and regional conferences and
symposiums as well as an instructor for continuing medical education credits for healthcare professionals
involved with e-health and/or personalized healthcare.
Currently, Al serves on a variety boards in his field, including the:
 Binghamton University Department of Bioengineering Advisory Board
 Columbia University Center for Advanced Information Management External Advisory Board
 Consumer Health World Advisory Board
 Cornell University Biomedical Engineering Advisory Board
 Excell Partners Technical Advisory Board
 Frost & Sullivan Medical MindXchange Advisory Board
 Johns Hopkins School of Medicine & Technology Alliance
 QED Proof-of-Concept Program Proposal Review Team at the University City Science Center
in Philadelphia
 Syracuse University Center for Advanced Systems & Engineering Advisory Board
 Syracuse University College of Engineering & Computer Science Dean’s Council
 University of Buffalo Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology
Industry Advisory Board

WellAWARE Systems Advisory Board.
Al also is the Founding Chair of the Syracuse Chapter of Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
and was a member of the Founding Board of Directors for the Continua Health Alliance. He is active in a
number of professional organizations, including the:
 Association for Computing Machinery
 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
 Mathematical Association of America
 MedTech Science & Technology Committee
 New York Academy of Sciences
 Product Development and Management Association
 Software Engineering Institute.
Al graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in Computer Science. Dedicated to being a
lifelong learner, he has focused on continued professional development over the course of his career,
successfully pursuing an extensive list of over two dozen managerial, leadership and technical courses.