Garmin CEO Dr. Min H. Kao elected to National Academy of Engineering
Singapore/ February 9, 2011 - Garmin Corporation, a unit of Garmin Ltd., the global leader in satellite navigation is pleased to announce its CEO Dr. Min H. Kao was elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has elected 68 new members and nine foreign associates. They provide the leadership and expertise for numerous projects focused on relationships between engineering, technology and quality of life.
Garmin Ltd. chairman and chief executive officer Dr. Min H. Kao was born in Nantou County, Taiwan, graduated from National Taiwan University, Department of Electrical Engineering and honoured Master and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering at the University of Tennessee. Garmin, a leader in developing and commercialising compact GPS navigation systems, is founded on the principles of innovation, convenience, performance, value, and service. Our co-founders Gary Burrell and Dr. Min H. Kao display Garmin innovative products in the lobby of Olathe, Kansas, Garmin world headquarters.
What began as a brainstorming session of a handful of engineers around a card table in 1989 has evolved into a worldwide collaborative effort of thousands of colleagues. Garmin’s goal, as it was then, remains simple: To create navigation and communication devices that can enrich our customers’ lives. Under Dr. Min H. Kao’s management, Garmin delivered over 65 million products to date. These innovative products span various areas of interest, including automotive, aviation, marine, fitness, outdoor recreation and wireless applications. From the time that the founders focused on selling their first product using GPS (Global Positioning System), Garmin has hired and surrounded itself with creative minds and passionate spirits.
Garmin has been well-acclaimed by professional organisations and manufacturers. In September 2010, Garmin marine products were selected a preferred supplier of choice by the American Boatbuilders Association. Meanwhile, numerous car manufactures have valued Garmin satellite navigation expertise and leading position in the market. For example, Chrysler has started to roll out navigation products in many models including Jeep and Ram Truck lines, which puts Garmin’s nüvi-like consumer experience into an original equipment, in-dash radio. For the high evaluations above, Garmin has become the most trusted brand in consumers’ minds and the most famous GPS brand in the market.
Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honours those who have made outstanding contributions to "engineering research, practice, or education, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature," and to the "pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/ implementing innovative approaches to engineering education."
About Garmin Corporation
Garmin Corporation, is a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin, Bluechart, City Navigator, Colorado, Foretrex and Oregon are registered trademarks and Dakota, is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
About National Academy of Engineering (NAE):
Founded in 1964, the National Academy of Engineering provides engineering leadership in service to the nation. The NAE operates under the same congressional act of incorporation that established the National Academy of Science, signed in 1863 by President Lincoln. Under this charter the NAE is directed “whenever called upon by any department or agency of the government, to investigate, examine, experiment, and upon any subject of science or art.” It brings the total U.S. membership to 2,290 and the number of foreign associates to 202.
Notice on forward-looking statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. All statements regarding the company’s future product introductions are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2008, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of Garmin’s Form 10-K can be downloaded at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.