Dr. Min H. Kao, Ph.D., is a Taiwanese-American businessman, the self-made billionaire Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN), a global leader in GPS technology and navigation devices. Born in Zhuolan, Taiwan, in 1949, his career is rooted in elite electrical engineering and technological innovation.

Kao holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from National Taiwan University and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee (1977). His philosophical approach centers on technological excellence, vertical integration (controlling hardware and software), and long-term commitment to the navigation and fitness technology sectors.

• Garmin Ltd. (Co-founder & Executive Chairman): The core publicly traded asset, a global leader in GPS technology, navigation devices, and fitness wearables (generating $5.2 billion in annual revenue).
• Technological Pioneer: His success is built on pioneering GPS technology for commercial, aviation, and marine use (a critical technology).
• Academic Background: He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee.
• Family Governance: His son, Cliff Pemble, is the current CEO (a key transition in the company's leadership).

Dr. Min Kao's strategic genius was his commitment to applied technology. He co-founded Garmin (originally ProNav) in 1989 with Gary Burrell (his former colleague at AlliedSignal), recognizing the immense, untapped potential of GPS technology for consumer and commercial markets. His structural contribution is immense: pioneering the commercial GPS device market globally.

The company successfully executed its IPO on the NASDAQ in 2000. His leadership guided the company through the shift from dedicated GPS devices to smartphones (a major market disruption) by pivoting aggressively into fitness wearables and specialized aviation/marine GPS. His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of the global navigation and technology sector.

Dr. Min Kao's social impact is structural, stemming from Garmin's role in providing essential navigation technology that is foundational to global aviation, marine safety, and consumer use. His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives (including funding the Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee).

His structural contribution is tied to the successful industrialization and technological modernization of the global navigation and fitness sectors.

Dr. Min Kao maintains the professional, composed style of a technology executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects serious authority and stability, typical of a pioneer in the specialized electronics sector.

Residing in Kansas City, Kansas, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to technology innovation, engineering excellence, and the long-term stewardship of the Garmin empire.