Ken Oshman

Malin Kenneth Oshman (July 9, 1940 – August 6, 2011) was an American business person and Silicon Valley pioneer. Oshman and three former classmates from Rice University founded ROLM, initially a maker of rugged military computers, in 1969. In 1988, he became chief executive officer of Echelon Corporation.

Early life and education

Malin Kenneth Oshman was born on July 9, 1940, in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in the area. He attended St. Mark's School of Texas, a private college preparatory school for boys, and later went on to attend Rice University in Houston, Texas. At Rice, he earned a degree in electrical engineering in 1962, and later received a master's and PhD degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford University in California.

Career

After completing his studies, Oshman worked for several years as an engineer at Philco Corporation, an American company that specialized in electronics and defense systems. In 1969, he co-founded ROLM Corporation with three of his former classmates from Rice University. The company initially developed rugged military computers, but later expanded into telecommunications equipment.

Under Oshman's leadership, ROLM became a major player in the telecommunications industry, particularly in the development of private branch exchange (PBX) systems. In 1984, ROLM was acquired by IBM for $1.8 billion, making it one of the largest acquisitions in the technology industry at the time.

After leaving ROLM, Oshman went on to serve as the CEO of Echelon Corporation, a company that specialized in creating energy-efficient technologies for homes and buildings. Under his leadership, Echelon became a leading player in the smart grid industry, developing technologies that helped to improve the efficiency and reliability of energy systems.

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

Throughout his career, Oshman was known for his philanthropic activities and involvement in the community. He was a supporter of education and the arts, and helped to fund a number of initiatives in these areas.

In particular, Oshman was a strong advocate for science education and worked to promote the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for young people. In 2001, he donated $35 million to Rice University, which led to the creation of the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen, a state-of-the-art facility for engineering students to design and build prototypes.

Oshman also supported the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he established the Oshman Family Professorship in Management, and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, where he served on the board of directors. He was also a major donor to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and supported a number of other arts organizations.

Legacy

Oshman's contributions to the technology industry and his philanthropic work have left a lasting legacy. He was a pioneer in the development of Silicon Valley and played a key role in the growth of several companies that helped to shape the industry. His commitment to education and the arts also had a significant impact on the communities where he lived and worked.

Oshman passed away on August 6, 2011, at the age of 71. He is remembered as a visionary leader and a generous philanthropist who made significant contributions to the technology industry and the community at large.