Tony Watson is a distinguished educator, scholar, and former technology executive who brings over 30 years of expertise in the interconnected fields of history, economics, international relations, and telecommunications. Currently serving as the Claudia and Fred Lummis Teacher of Investment at The Kinkaid School’s Gordy Family Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Finance, Tony teaches Economics, Investment, and Entrepreneurship, along with World History. His career exemplifies a commitment to fostering knowledge and skills that prepare students and organizations for global challenges.
Tony excels at integrating disparate (and seemingly unrelated) resources and data, developing them into cohesive visions, approaches, teams, or products. His skill in arranging resources, personnel, and components for maximum productivity is evident in projects like the MPLS network for British Telecom, Cybersecurity, and his research on the Silk Road. He is also exceptionally adept at taking control of situations, managing crises, and helping teams get unstuck in a positive, productive way.
Foregrounding his entrepreneurial experience, Tony founded Orchid Galleries, an Airbnb and art gallery (2020-present); McNeill and Associates, a rental property business in Baltimore (2004-2019); and Data Mountain Solutions, an information services company supporting U.S. Government infrastructure. His intrapreneurial accomplishments include pioneering the development of a global MPLS network for British Telecom (BT-MPLS), which won multiple awards for networking excellence. Much of Tony’s work extended beyond traditional telecom into managing voice, video, and critical data traffic over the internet, focusing on end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) with particular relevance to high-stakes financial trading applications and the early stages of cloud computing. His team also developed the industry’s first QoS pricing and Service Level Agreement models for class-of-service-based networks. Tony’s innovative impact in the academic realm is equally noteworthy, where he established programs like Cybersecurity and Middle East Studies at Brown University, Islamic Studies and Silk Road Studies at Woodberry Forest, and entrepreneurship-focused incubator/accelerator courses at The Kinkaid School.
Before joining Kinkaid, Tony spent seven years at Woodberry Forest School as a Master of Islamic and Asian History, where he also coached football, debate, and lacrosse. Prior to Woodberry, he held several influential roles at Brown University, including Assistant Dean at the School of Professional Studies and Associate Director of Middle East Studies. At Brown, he pioneered the university’s Executive Master in Cybersecurity program, working closely with faculty and administration to build an impactful curriculum for the next generation of leaders.
Tony’s academic background is extensive and internationally diverse. He earned a Ph.D. in History from the University of Cambridge, an M.Div. in Islamic Studies from Harvard University, and a Master of Science in Finance and Business Information Systems from Johns Hopkins University. His scholarly interests in interreligious studies, global economics, and historical trade have shaped a professional philosophy that emphasizes global interconnectedness. Tony is an active member of the American Academy of Religion, reflecting his commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship.
In addition to his academic contributions, Tony’s early career as a product design and management executive in telecommunications brought him to the forefront of technological innovation. During the 1990s, he led groundbreaking efforts in telecom deregulation and internet infrastructure expansion in Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Notably, he spearheaded the development of a global MPLS network for British Telecom (BT) and Concert, which now serves as the core of the UK’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Tony co-founded Data Mountain Solutions in 2001, an information services company that developed critical infrastructure, including middleware supporting the .gov domain for the U.S. Government. His work in telecommunications has earned multiple industry awards, from “Best of Show” at Networld+Interop to “Product of the Year” by Network Magazine, highlighting his exceptional contributions to IP networking and product innovation.
With 2 published books and over a dozen published articles to his credit, Tony’s expertise also spans public speaking and publishing. His 2015 article, Inter-religious Responses to Climate Change, in the Journal of Interreligious Studies, explores the ethical obligations of global citizens toward environmental stewardship. He speaks multiple languages conversationally, including Arabic, Chinese, and German, further enhancing his ability to connect and communicate across diverse cultural and professional contexts.
Active in community and economic development, Tony has worked extensively in West Baltimore and served on the boards of Stevenson University and the Central West Baltimore Planning Coalition. He is dedicated to causes such as education, economic empowerment, human rights, and environmental sustainability. His leadership roles in nonprofit and community organizations reflect his ongoing commitment to fostering positive change.
Tony’s diverse career path demonstrates a unique blend of academic, technical, and strategic leadership. From designing telecommunications products to shaping university curricula, he brings a visionary perspective to every role he undertakes. Now, at the Gordy Family Center, he is inspiring the next generation of leaders to think critically about the impact they can make in an increasingly interconnected world.
Character: Tony Watson is a dedicated and ethical leader who consistently uses his skills to foster growth and positive change in education, technology, and community initiatives. His commitment to making a meaningful impact is evident through his work in both nonprofit and academic settings.
Knowledge: With a robust academic foundation and over 30 years of professional experience, Tony possesses a deep understanding of global economics, telecommunications, and cultural studies. His insights across these areas allow him to approach challenges with a comprehensive, informed perspective.
Strategic: Tony’s career demonstrates a keen ability to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement, whether in telecommunications infrastructure or academic program development. His strategic thinking has led to impactful projects, including the establishment of a global MPLS network and cybersecurity curriculum at Brown University.
Communication: Proficient in multiple languages and experienced in public speaking and publishing, Tony excels in connecting with diverse audiences. His communication skills enable him to bridge cultural and professional divides, fostering collaborative dialogue across disciplines.
