Walt Downing, MBA ’86, has had a front-row seat to the rapid-fire technological changes that have occurred during his 52-year engineering career.
He has witnessed everything from the emergence of personal computers to the rise of artificial intelligence.
But one thing that didn’t change throughout the years was Downing’s passion for technology and innovation.
Just this spring, Downing retired as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), where he enjoyed a 47-year career with the organization. Downing established and led SwRI’s Aerospace and Training Systems Division before transitioning into executive leadership.
“I started my career as a senior research engineer,” said Downing, who received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Southern Methodist University. “In those days we were just beginning to apply microprocessors to different practical applications. I focused on the automated testing of electronics, particularly aircraft electronics.”
Quickly, Downing’s career transitioned from design engineering to engineering management. Recognizing that shift, he began pursuing his MBA at UT San Antonio to prepare for new leadership responsibilities.
“It struck me that in engineering school we spent a lot of time studying theory. But what I learned in my business courses was directly applicable to my work,” he said.
While studying in the program, Downing connected with former faculty members Bill Flannery and Woodie Spivey, who both had similar industry backgrounds in engineering. He later helped advise them when they launched a master’s degree in the management of technology in the college.
“The MBA program exposed me to people from all backgrounds and all walks of life,” said Downing, who also taught for several years in the college. “It also helped me develop a long-term perspective, because as I rose through the ranks, it would take longer to see the results and impact of decisions that I made.”
Downing explained that SwRI, an independent nonprofit research and development organization, uses technology to solve complex challenges for its clients.
“To work at Southwest Research Institute, you need to enjoy solving difficult technical problems,” Downing said. “Because if they weren’t difficult, they wouldn’t need us. They could solve it on their own.”
Looking back at his extensive career, Downing shared two of his proudest accomplishments. First, he authorized a mobile autonomous robotics technology initiative. The goal was to develop a vehicle that could autonomously drive on the streets of New York City. Achieving that goal in 2008, SwRI later adapted the technology for military projects.
His team also worked with NASA on almost every major space program like the New Horizons mission to Pluto or the Juno mission to Jupiter to develop either instrumentation or computers for their missions.
“Not all scientifically trained people do well in terms of keeping projects on schedule, meeting budgets and interacting with clients. That is where my MBA became so valuable. If you execute well, then your growth of people and revenue will follow,” he said.
Throughout his career, Downing remained active professionally through his involvement with IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization. After becoming involved with IEEE through a conference in San Antonio, he advanced through the organization’s ranks and served as president of the Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society. He is now chair of the Lone Star Section in San Antonio.
“If you want to really get anything out of an organization, you’ve got to be engaged and participate,” he said. “If you just are a member and pay dues you won’t get anything out of it, but if you get engaged, you’ll find you get more out of it than what you put into it.”
Downing has also remained connected with UT San Antonio since graduation. He serves on advisory councils for both the Carlos Alvarez College of Business and the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design. He also engages with students through the IEEE student branch and the Robotics Automation Society chapter.
Downing also established the SwRI-UT San Antonio Scholarship for Children and Dependents of SwRI Employees in 2011.
“The scholarship allowed me to address philanthropy with respect to UTSA but also benefit this organization that I’ve worked with for so long,” said Downing, who is one of many donors who support this scholarship.
He and his wife, Sharon, also partnered with the McNay Art Museum to allow all UT San Antonio students, faculty and staff to attend the museum for free.
“UTSA was the only local university that didn’t have this benefit,” Downing said. “Once again, it allowed us to support both the McNay and UTSA through our giving.”
Reflecting on his retirement, Downing looks forward to spending more time with his three grandchildren, traveling and working around the house. Variety has always been valued by Downing, both professionally and now personally, as he contemplates this new unstructured time of his life.
“It’s been a lot of fun to see the university grow and succeed,” he said. “By supporting UTSA I’m essentially improving the overall capabilities of our community. UTSA is a great community builder.”
