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Chairman and CEO
Dr. Min Kao co-founded Garmin Corporation with Gary Burrell in October 1989 to integrate Global Positioning System (GPS) technology into navigation devices for multiple markets. Dr. Kao is credited with the breakthrough design and engineering of the GPS software technology that formed the foundation of the original Garmin product line. Today he directs the business development initiatives and strategic planning for all of Garmin worldwide.
Prior to founding Garmin, Dr. Kao served as a systems analyst at Teledyne Systems for inertial, radio navigation and fire control systems. While at Magnavox Advanced Products, he designed the Kalman filter algorithms for Phase II GPS user equipment. He later served as engineering group leader with King Radio Corporation and Allied Signal, where he led the development of the first GPS navigator to be certified by the FAA. Dr. Kao has a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from National Taiwan University. His career began at the University of Tennessee where he earned his master's and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering and was involved in research for NASA and the U.S. Army.
×President and Chief Operating Officer
Clifton Pemble joined Garmin International in 1989 as a software engineer. As one of Garmin's first employees, he has served in a variety of leadership capacities, including systems engineering and software engineering management. He was named to his current position of president and COO in October 2007, and directs day-to-day operations of all North American Garmin subsidiaries, including Garmin International, Inc. He also is a member of the Garmin Ltd. Board of Directors.
Prior to joining Garmin, Pemble served as a software engineer for Allied Signal, participating in the development of earth-based and satellite-based navigation systems for general aviation.
Pemble earned his bachelor's degrees in mathematics and computer science from MidAmerica Nazarene University.
×Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Kevin Rauckman joined the Garmin team as director of finance in January 1999 and became CFO and Treasurer for Garmin Ltd. in August 2000. He came to Garmin from Allied Signal where he served as director of finance for one of the company's Aerospace units.
Prior to Allied Signal, Rauckman served as finance manager for Unisys Corporation, a technology hardware and consulting services company, from 1993 to 1996. He earned his master's and bachelor's degrees from the University of Kansas.
×Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Andrew Etkind joined Garmin International as general counsel in February 1998 and became vice president, general counsel and secretary for Garmin Ltd. in August 2007. Prior to Garmin, he served as senior attorney for Alumax Inc., an aluminum manufacturer, from 1996 to 1998. Before that he was vice president, general counsel and secretary for Information Management Resources Inc., a software systems development and consulting company.
Etkind holds bachelor's, master's and L.L.M. degrees from Cambridge University in England and a J.D. degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
×Chairman Emeritus
Gary Burrell co-founded Garmin Corporation with Dr. Min Kao in October 1989, with a handful of engineers and an idea for a product. Together with Dr. Kao, Burrell has led Garmin from a startup company to an international electronics powerhouse in several markets. For his efforts, he has been recognized by Inc. Magazine, The Kansas City Business Journal and Ernst & Young as the "Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year" for Missouri and Kansas.
An industry veteran, Burrell brings more than 40 years of leadership at engineering-based companies to the helm of Garmin Ltd. Prior to his work with Garmin, Burrell served in various roles, including director of engineering and vice president of engineering at marine and aviation electronics companies such as Lowrance Electronics, King Radio Corporation and Allied Signal. He is widely regarded as one of the leading innovators of integrated avionics, having designed and developed the first successful NAV/COMM for the general aviation market. Burrell earned his bachelor's in electrical engineering at Wichita State University and his master's from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
×Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Managing Director of Garmin Europe
Dan Bartel joined Garmin in 1992 as technical/survey sales manager. In December 1993, he moved to Romsey, England, to manage Garmin Europe. After a 5 year stint in Europe, Bartel returned to the United States as director of consumer electronic sales where he managed Garmin's North American consumer sales efforts. In his current position, Bartel is in charge of day-to-day leadership responsibilities of worldwide sales for all consumer market segments of the company.
Prior to joining Garmin, Bartel spent 7 years in the U.S. Air Force as a KC-135 pilot. After leaving the Air Force, he served in various sales positions at Global Navigation, an avionics manufacturer. Bartel received his bachelor's in electrical engineering from South Dakota State University and has a bachelor's in management from Central Michigan University. He also holds an airline transport pilot license with a Learjet-type rating.
×Vice President, Communications
Jon Cassat joined Garmin in 1993 to lead the advertising efforts of the company. Prior to joining Garmin, Cassat held a variety of creative and leadership positions at area ad agencies. As Garmin's manager of corporate communications and later as the director of marketing communications, Cassat helped establish a full complement of in-house advertising, communication, and brand-building services in furtherance of the company's commitment to vertical integration.
Cassat is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University where he earned his bachelor's in business administration. He continued his education with graduate studies at the University of Kansas where he earned his master's in journalism.
×Vice President, Executive Office
Patrick Desbois joined Garmin International in 2011 as vice president, executive office. In this role, Desbois is responsible for managing selected subsidiaries of Garmin as well as working closely with our executive team on high level projects.
Desbois is a computer industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience working on PC’s, tablets, handhelds, communication devices and embedded data storage products. Prior to joining Garmin, Desbois served with Dell, Inc., where he was responsible for product development for mobile consumer, small medium and business. Desbois has international business experience, including repatriating from Taiwan in 2011. Desbois earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from George Mason University.
×Vice President, Business Development
Dawn Iddings joined the Garmin team in 2008 to lead and oversee the development of strategic opportunities and key business partnerships. She is responsible for the strategic analysis, planning and development of internal business solutions and external business opportunities.
Iddings earned her bachelor's in information technology from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Garmin, she served as the director of device innovation for Cerner Corporation. Iddings brings a wealth of knowledge in the area of new product development, client sales and market entry strategies.
×Vice President, Information Technology
Ed Link joined the Garmin team in 2006 as the director of information technology and was promoted to vice president in July 2007. As VP of IT, Link is responsible for the seamless integration of Garmin's worldwide information systems. Link came to Garmin after 15 years at Butler Manufacturing where he was responsible for delivery of Butler's information systems.
Link earned his bachelor's in information systems from Park University and his master's in business administration from the Bloch School of Business at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
×Vice President, Aviation Engineering
Frank McLoughlin joined Garmin in 2001 as an inertial and air data systems engineer. Since 2004 he has led aviation systems and programs with oversight of aviation program management, AHRS and air data software development, and integrated systems testing. McLoughlin was promoted to his current role of vice president, aviation engineering in October 2011 and is responsible for Garmin International's aviation software and hardware design engineering, program management, and aircraft certification.
McLoughlin graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame. He also earned a M.S. in mechanical engineering and a Ph.D. in mechanical and electrical engineering, with an emphasis in guidance and control, from Stanford University. Prior to joining Garmin, McLoughlin served as president of Sequoia Instruments, from which Garmin acquired inertial and air data technology in 2001. He holds a private pilot license.
×Vice President, Human Resources
Laurie Minard joined Garmin in 1996 and started the human resources department. She became director of human resources in 2002 and was promoted to vice president in July 2007. Minard is responsible for recruiting/talent management, payroll/compensation, benefits, training and career development as well as employee relations. Prior to joining Garmin, Minard worked as a corporate recruiter for Electronic Realty Associates and Tippins. She earned her bachelor's in psychology from the University of Kansas.
Minard has been an executive board member for Employment Practices Network of Kansas City since 1999. She also has served on the Olathe Chamber of Commerce executive committee and board of directors since 2003.
×Vice President and Managing Director, Auto OEM
Matthew Munn joined Garmin in 2011 to lead the company's automotive OEM group with a focus on international business expansion. In this role, Munn oversees all aspects of Garmin's global OEM business activities and is based out of the companys Detroit-area office.
Munn is an industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience working on GPS based digital infotainment systems and brand-named audio systems. Prior to Garmin, Munn worked for Harman International where he held numerous executive positions within the company's automotive division, including senior vice president of global sales and general manager of global customer business units. Munn has extensive international business experience, including a 5 year executive assignment in Germany.
Munn attended Michigan Technological University where he earned a bachelor's in mechanical engineering. He also attended the University of Michigan IESE Business School's Global Program for Management Development.
×Vice President, Operations
Brian Pokorny joined Garmin International in 1995 as a planning manager. From 1997 to 2005, Pokorny served as Garmin's director of operations. Prior to Garmin, Pokorny held several positions at AlliedSignal Commercial Avionics, including production control manager and several positions in procurement. He also held position with AlliedSignal Corporate Commodity Teams as a procurement specialist managing corporate level commodity strategies.
Pokorny holds a bachelor's degree in business management and an master's in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and holds the professional certification of CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) and has held professional certification as a C.P.M. (Certified Purchasing Manager).
×Vice President and Managing Director, Aviation
Philip Straub joined Garmin in 1993 and has held a variety of positions in the Aviation Engineering department contributing to the development of Garmin's core aviation products, including embedded software development and certification flight testing. Most recently Straub served as vice president of aviation engineering. Straub currently oversees all Garmin's global aviation business activities, including engineering, marketing, sales, flight operations, and aviation customer support.
Straub graduated magna cum laude from the University of Missouri with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate for multi-engine, as well as a Flight Instructor certificate with single-engine, multi-engine and instrument privileges. Prior to joining Garmin, Straub was a pilot and flight instructor at Executive Beechcraft and Baker's Aircraft Center.
×Vice President, Consumer Engineering
Michael Wiegers joined Garmin in 1993 as an electrical engineer, acting as lead engineer in marine, handheld and automotive product design. He has served in a variety of leadership capacities in the consumer electrical, software and mechanical engineering areas during his tenure. Wiegers currently directs the day-to-day operations of Garmin's consumer engineering department.
Wiegers earned his bachelor's in electrical engineering from Kansas State University. Prior to joining Garmin, he served as a hardware and software design engineer for Allied Signal, participating in the development of communication radios and electronic flight information systems for general aviation.
×Vice President, Aviation Sales and Marketing
Carl Wolf joined Garmin in 2002 as Manager of Aviation OEM Sales. In this role, he led the team focused on all aspects of increasing Garmin's aviation OEM business worldwide, including the promotion of Garmin's integrated flight deck offerings. Wolf became the senior director of aviation sales and marketing in January 2006, and was responsible for all Garmin aviation sales and marketing activities globally, including OEM, aftermarket/retrofit, government and military sales, portable sales, marketing, and product management. He was appointed to his current role of vice president, aviation sales and marketing in October 2011.
Wolf studied mechanical engineering at the University of Kansas and holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate for multi-engine with over 4500 flight hours. Prior to joining Garmin, Wolf served the aviation industry for 25 years in various marketing roles, primarily with Allied Signal.
×Chairman
Dr. Min H. Kao is CEO and chairman of the board of Garmin Ltd., and directs the day-to-day operations of the Garmin group of companies. Dr. Kao co-founded Garmin Corporation in 1989. Dr. Kao holds Ph.D. and master's degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from National Taiwan University.
×Clifton A. Pemble is the president and COO of Garmin Ltd. He has direct supervision of all North American Garmin subsidiaries, including Garmin AT, Dynastream and Digital Cyclone. He joined Garmin International in 1989 and was appointed to the Garmin Ltd. board of directors in August 2004. Pemble holds bachelor's degrees in mathematics and computer science from MidAmerica Nazarene University.
×Gene M. Betts is the former chief financial officer of Embarq Corporation, serving in that capacity from 2005 until his retirement in 2009. From 1987 to 2004, Betts held a number of senior financial positions with Sprint Corporation and was the treasurer of Sprint, prior to becoming CFO of Embarq. Prior to joining Sprint in 1987, Betts was a partner with Arthur Young & Co. (now Ernst & Young LLP).
×Donald H. Eller is a private investor. He holds bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Texas. Dr. Eller has held several management positions in the defense electronics industry, including manager of systems analysis for Teledyne Systems Co., and manager of navigation and weapon system design for a division of Magnavox Corp. Eller is recognized as an industry expert in GPS, inertial and other navigation systems. He has served as a consultant for Lockheed Corp. and has provided consulting services to the GPS Joint Program Office.
×Charles W. Peffer is a former audit partner with KPMG LLP. He holds a bachelor's of business administration from the University of Kansas and an master's of business administration from Northwestern University.
Peffer became a partner with KPMG's predecessor firm in 1979 and served in the firm's Kansas City office as partner in charge of audit from 1986 to 1993 and as the office's managing partner from 1993 to 2000. Peffer retired from KPMG in 2002. Peffer currently serves on the board of the commerce funds, a family of 11 mutual funds.
×Thomas Poberezny is chairman emeritus of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), having served as president from 1989 to 2009, and chairman of the board from 2009 to 2011. EAA promotes all aspects of aviation, providing pathways to participation for all who have an interest or passion for flying. EAA has approximately 160,000 members worldwide, and is host to the largest airshow in the world, the EAA AirVenture Fly-in, held annually in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Poberezny holds a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University and is a former world champion aerobatic pilot. Poberezny, who is widely considered an expert in the field of aviation, was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame in 1996.
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