Min H. Kao
Born1949 (age 74–75)
Zhushan, Taiwan
NationalityAmerican
Alma materNational Taiwan University (BS)
University of Tennessee (MS; PhD)
Occupation(s)Co-founder and chairman, Garmin
SpouseMarried
Children2, including Jen 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 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

Min H. Kao was born in 1949 in Zhushan, Nantou, a small town in Taiwan.[citation needed] He graduated from the National Taiwan University, and earned 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]

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

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

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. ^ Karmin, Craig (January 6, 2011). "CEO of GPS Maker Locates a New Home". The Wall Street Journal.
  11. ^ "Location Maps & Information". Ims.jocogov.org. Retrieved 2020-02-13.
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