Rod Canion

Joseph Rodney "Rod" Canion (born January 19, 1945) is an American computer scientist and businessman. Canion is a co-founder of Compaq Computer Corporation where he served as its first President and CEO.[1][2]

A native of Houston, Canion graduated from the University of Houston in 1966 and 1968 with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in electrical engineering with an emphasis on computer science.[3] Before co-founding Compaq in 1982, Canion, Harris, and Murto had been senior managers at Texas Instruments. The three co-founders received backing from venture capitalist Benjamin M. Rosen, who became chairman of the board of Compaq.[1]

During Canion's tenure as Compaq's CEO, the company set records for the largest first-year sales in the history of American business and reached the Fortune 500 and the $1 billion revenue mark faster than any other company in history.[3] Canion was a shy man so he took lessons to polish his speaking style at the bequest of Ben Rosen, Compaq's chairman.

In 1991, Canion was dismissed by Compaq's chairman, Benjamin M. Rosen.[4][5]

In 1992, Canion founded Insource Technology Group with Jim Harris and Ronald L. Fischer and served as its chairman until September 2006.[6] In 1999, he led the initial investment round for Questia Media, Inc., which provides an online research library.[7] He became chairman of the board and later helped the company raise $150 million.[7] He is a member of the Board of Directors of AMVESCAP, BlueArc, and Young Life, and HealthLink, is Director Emeritus of the Houston Technology Center, and is a member of the Board of Advisors for Sternhill Partners.[8][9][10]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 (Joseph) Rod Canion - Compaq, Ibm, Corp, and Million
  2. ↑ O'Reilly, Brian. (1985-02-18) COMPAQ'S GRIP ON IBM'S SLIPPERY TAIL Up against No. 1, the three-year-old upstart had 1984 sales of about $325 million. So far President Rod Canion hasn't made a serious mistake, but nobody's perfect. - February 18, 1985. Money.cnn.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-17.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Board of Directors | | About ChaChaAbout ChaCha
  4. ↑ Reinventing Compaq: Tasks for Next Chief - New York Times
  5. ↑ Ben Rosen: The Lion in Winter. Businessweek.com (1999-07-26). Retrieved on 2013-07-17.
  6. ↑ Invesco Global | Board of Directors
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Questia Online Library
  8. ↑
  9. ↑ HTC - Executive Board of Directors - Houston Technology Center
  10. ↑ Healthlink Incorporated Appoints Joseph E. Boyd to Board of Directors. - Free Online Library