Winston Shelton

Winston Shelton is a native of West Virginia and attended WVU, receiving the BSEE degree in 1948. Upon graduation, he joined the General Electric Company (GE) and began his career as an R&D engineer in the Major Home Appliance Division. During his twenty years at GE, his inventions received 35 patents. In 1968 he left GE to start his own company, Winston Industries.

Winston Industries' first success was the invention of the pressure fryer, now used by Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises all over the world. In 1980, Mr. Shelton discovered a revolutionary cooking method called Controlled Vapor Technology (C-VAP) for which he received a patent in 1996. C-VAP uses controlled air, water and velocity to create an environment of processing food. C-VAP is used in schools, hospitals, and restaurants such as Wendy's and Boston Market.

Mr. Shelton is a member of Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu, and has been awarded Honorary Doctorate degrees from Sullivan College, and Johnson & Wales University. He was inducted into the West Virginia University Alumni Academy on February 6, 1999. He is active in the Louisville Chamber of Commerce and a strong supporter of urban renewal projects.