The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has named Bill Poston, entrepreneur, business advisor, investor, educator and philanthropist, as Entrepreneur-in-Residence as part of its Centennial celebration. His appointment reflects the Barton School’s commitment to connecting students with accomplished business leaders whose careers demonstrate entrepreneurship, principled leadership and innovation.
Throughout his residency, Poston will engage with students, faculty, alumni and business leaders through classroom discussions, mentoring opportunities, executive meetings and public events focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, organizational culture and business growth.
Poston has spent more than three decades building companies, advising executives and investing in entrepreneurs across multiple industries. In 2004, after a decade at Deloitte, he co-founded Kalypso, an innovation consulting firm that grew into a global organization of more than 300 professionals helping some of the world’s leading companies accelerate innovation. The firm was later acquired by Rockwell Automation and continues to serve clients around the world.
Today, Poston serves as a board member and advisor to healthy companies while helping organizations navigate restructuring, bankruptcy and liquidity events. Through his family investment firm, Kianalei Capital, he invests in startup companies, real estate ventures and other entrepreneurial opportunities. He also founded The Launch Box, a platform that provides founders of professional service firms with investment capital, strategic guidance and operational support.
Beyond business, Poston has devoted much of his career to developing future leaders. In 2008, he co-founded Stelos Alliance, a nonprofit organization that helps exceptional collegiate leaders reach their potential through scholarships, mentorship and leadership development. He also teaches the Housley Principled Leadership Program at Texas State University, where he has mentored hundreds of emerging leaders.
“Bill’s career reflects the kind of entrepreneurial mindset and values-driven leadership we strive to cultivate at the Barton School,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business. “He has built successful businesses, invested in founders and dedicated himself to helping others succeed. Our students will benefit tremendously from learning from someone whose career has been defined by both innovation and service.”
Poston’s entrepreneurial interests also include the hospitality industry through Muy’Ono, a Belize-based resort management company, and Royal Belize, an exclusive-use private island destination recognized among the Caribbean’s premier luxury experiences.
A graduate of Texas State University, Poston earned his MBA from The University of Texas at Austin. He was inducted into the McCoy College of Business Hall of Honor and was recognized as a Texas State Distinguished Alumnus in 2025. He is also the recipient of Phi Delta Theta’s Raymond L. Gardner Alumnus of the Year Award for his contributions to leadership, higher education and community service.
“I’ve spent my career building businesses, but the most rewarding work has always been helping people grow into leaders,” said Poston. “Every successful company begins with someone willing to learn, take risks and serve others. I’m excited to spend time with Barton students because they’re at the stage where the habits and principles they develop today will shape everything they build tomorrow.”
Central to the Barton School’s Centennial vision is expanding student access to accomplished business leaders whose experiences bridge classroom learning with real-world decision making. The Entrepreneur-in-Residence program provides students with opportunities to engage directly with executives, entrepreneurs and innovators who have built organizations and led through change.
During his residency, Poston will participate in student discussions, mentoring sessions, meetings with faculty and School leadership, and conversations with entrepreneurs and business executives designed to foster meaningful dialogue around innovation, leadership and principled decision making.
“Our Centennial is not simply a celebration of where we have been,” Genin said. “It is a declaration of where the Barton School is going. Bill brings the entrepreneurial experience, leadership philosophy and commitment to developing others that we want every student to experience.”
Additional information about public events during Poston’s residency will be announced in the coming weeks.