Min Kao

Min H. Kao
高民環
Born1949 (age 75–76)
Zhushan, Taiwan
NationalityAmerican
EducationNational Taiwan University (BS)
University of Tennessee (MS, PhD)
Occupation(s)Co-founder and chairman, Garmin
SpouseMarried
Children2, including Jen Kao
In this Chinese name, the family name is 高 (Kao).

Min H. Kao (Chinese: 高民環; pinyin: Gāo Mínhuán) is a Taiwanese-American electrical engineer, billionaire businessman, and philanthropist. He is the co-founder of Garmin, with Gary Burrell, and has been its chairman.

In 2011, Kao was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering for leadership in developing and commercializing compact GPS navigation devices.

Early life and education

Min H. Kao was born in 1949 in Zhushan, Nantou, a small town in Taiwan.[citation needed] He graduated from the National Taiwan University with a Degree in Electrical Engineering, and earned an Msc and a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1977.[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 devices that use the Global Positioning System.[1][4]

Kao stepped down as CEO of Garmin in 2012, but remains executive chairman and a member of the board.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7]

In 2014, Kao donated $1 million to the University of Kansas College of Engineering for the building of electrical and computer engineering design labs.[8] In 2015, Kao donated $1 million to the Kansas State University College of Engineering for building four labs.[9]

Awards

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.[11] He spends the majority of his time in Manhattan.[12]

As of February 2020, his personal wealth was estimated at $4.1 billion.

In 2021 Kao was selected by the Carnegie Corporation as a "Great Immigrant, Great American".[13]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Forbes profile: Min Kao". Forbes. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  2. ^ Karmin, Craig (January 6, 2010). "CEO of GPS Maker Locates a New Home". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "Leadership: Dr. Min Kao". Garmin. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Stafford, Diane (December 20, 2012). "Garmin success starts with co-founder". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  5. ^ "Min Kao & family". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
  6. ^ Min Kao Home page at Univ of Tennessee Archived June 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "UT and Min Kao Dedicate New Engineering Building", University of Tennessee news, March 14, 2012
  8. ^ Kingery, Dalton (2014-02-10). "Garmin co-founder Dr. Min Kao donates $1M to KU School of Engineering | News". kansan.com. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  9. ^ "Garmin executive gives $1 million to Kansas State University engineering expansion | Kansas State University | News and Communications Services". K-state.edu. 2015-05-15. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  10. ^ "The National Aviation Hall of Fame Announces the "Class of 2024"". National Aviation Hall of Fame.
  11. ^ Karmin, Craig (January 6, 2011). "CEO of GPS Maker Locates a New Home". The Wall Street Journal.
  12. ^ "Location Maps & Information". Ims.jocogov.org. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
  13. ^ "Min Kao". Carnegie Corporation of New York. Retrieved June 10, 2024.