Min Kao
Min H. Kao | |
---|---|
Born |
1949 (age 67–68) Zhushan, Taiwan |
Residence |
Leawood, Kansas, U.S. 15 Central Park West, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
Alma mater |
National Taiwan University (BS) University of Tennessee (MS; PhD) |
Occupation | Co-founder of Garmin |
Known for | co-founder of the Garmin GPS company |
Net worth | US$2.6 billion (May 2015)[1] |
Children | 2, including Jen Kao |
Min H. Kao (simplified Chinese: 高民环; traditional Chinese: 高民環; pinyin: Gāo Mínhuán) is a Taiwanese-born American electrical engineer, businessman and philanthropist. He is the co-founder of Garmin Corporation with Gary Burrell. As of May 2015, his personal wealth was estimated at $2.6 billion.
Early life
Min H. Kao was born in 1949 in a small town in Taiwan called Zhushan in Nantou. He graduated from the National Taiwan University in Taiwan and earned a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee.[1][2][3]
Career
Kao undertook research for NASA and the United States Army.[3] He was subsequently a systems analyst for Teledyne Systems, an algorithm designer for Magnavox Advanced Products, and an engineering group leader for King Radio Corporation.[3] He also worked for AlliedSignal.[1]
In 1989, with Gary Burrell, Kao co-founded Garmin, a company best known for manufacturing Global Positioning System.[1][4]
Philanthropy
In 2005, Kao gave $17.5 million to the College of Engineering of the University of Tennessee, $12.5 million of which was designated for the construction of a new facility.[5] In May 2007, groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted for the new Min Kao Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building. The building was dedicated in March 2012.[6]
Personal life
Kao is married to Fan Kao.[4] They have a son, Ken Kao, who is a film producer, and a daughter, Jen Kao, who is a fashion designer.[4] They reside in Leawood, Kansas.[1] In 2011, he purchased an apartment in 15 Central Park West, Manhattan, New York City.[7]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Min Kao". Forbes. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ↑ Karmin, Craig (January 6, 2010). "CEO of GPS Maker Locates a New Home". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Leadership: Dr. Min Kao". Garmin. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- 1 2 3 Stafford, Diane (December 20, 2012). "Garmin success starts with co-founder". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
- ↑ Min Kao Home page at Univ of Tennessee Archived June 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "UT and Min Kao Dedicate New Engineering Building", University of Tennessee news, March 14, 2012
- ↑ Karmin, Craig (January 6, 2011). "CEO of GPS Maker Locates a New Home". The Wall Street Journal.