Chairman, Maine Venture Fund

Dr. Brien Walton is the CEO of Acadia Capital Management, L3C, a strategic advisory firm specializing in helping small businesses secure funding with a focus on driving economic growth in distressed communities. He is also the chair of the Board of Directors for the Maine Venture Fund, Maine's premier social impact venture capital fund, where he plays a pivotal role in advancing funding opportunities for startups and small businesses across the state. Additionally, Dr. Walton serves as the director of the Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business at Husson University, where he has pioneered an innovation incubation ecosystem that connects academia, entrepreneurs, and diverse industries.

Dr. Walton’s professional experience spans multiple sectors, including as an executive coach, software engineer, corporate tax attorney, real estate developer, and commercial banker. He has developed and managed venture capital funds and technology incubators at prestigious universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, where he established an award-winning innovation hub in downtown Philadelphia.

With a strong track record of creating and nurturing growth opportunities for small businesses, Dr. Walton brings a wealth of experience in funding and strategic development. His commitment to supporting entrepreneurs is evident in his leadership at the Maine Venture Fund, where he helps guide the state’s most promising ventures.

Dr. Walton holds multiple graduate degrees, including a Doctor of Education in Organizational Learning Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, with a concentration in Leadership Development from the Wharton School of Business. He also earned a Juris Doctorate in Law from the University of D.C., a Master of Science in Education in Workforce Development from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts in Educational Technologies from Harvard University, and a Master of Laws in Taxation from Georgetown University.