Ronald Stordahl
Ronald Arthur Stordahl | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 9, 1943 |
| Alma mater | University of Minnesota |
| Known for | Digi-Key |
| Call sign | AE5E |
Ronald Arthur Stordahl is the founder of electronic component distributor Digi-Key Electronics, located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. He previously served as chief executive officer but is now member of the board.[1]
Early life
Ronald was born in Thief River Falls to Arthur Vernon (1909 - 2011) and Ina (Olson) Stordahl (1922 - 2020) in 1943.[2] His paternal grandfather, Louis, was an immigrant from Flesberg, Buskerud, Norway.
Career
Stordahl's interest in ham radio provided the springboard for what became Digi-Key Electronics. While in college he assembled and began selling a digital electronic keyer kit for sending radiotelegraph code for ham radio operators. It was called the Digi-Key.[3][4]
After obtaining his PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Stordahl returned to his hometown of Thief River Falls. The keyer kit was discontinued and he began selling electronic components in 1972. The Digi-Key "Keyer" is long gone, but Digi-Key Electronics has become one of the fastest growing electronic component distributors in the world. The privately held company has annual sales of over $3 billion and employs over 4,000 people. Stordahl founded the company in 1972, beginning with a single employee, Marie Finney.[citation needed]
Stordahl holds the amateur radio callsign AE5E.
References
- ^ "Digi-Key Announces Top Leadership Transition | DigiKey".
- ^ "Arthur Stordahl, 101". Thief River Falls Times & Northern Watch – Official Page. 2011-01-07. Retrieved 2020-11-06.
- ^ Aug 7th 2017 - 9am, Tom Dennis / Forum News Service | (7 August 2017). "Minn.-based Digi-Key's success began by breaking the mold". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "From a box of radio parts, Digi-Key grew into a $2.3 billion anchor of northwest Minnesota". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
External links
- "Digi-Key Company History". DigiKey.
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