Gary Burrell (August 24, 1937 – June 12, 2019) was an American entrepreneur and engineer who co-founded Garmin Corporation, a multinational company known for its GPS technology and innovative navigation products. Garmin, established in 1989, has become a leading manufacturer of navigation and communication devices for various industries, including automotive, aviation, marine, fitness, and outdoor recreation.
Gary Burrell was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and graduated from Wichita State University with a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering in 1960. He later earned a master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1962.
Before co-founding Garmin, Burrell gained extensive experience in the aviation and navigation industries. He worked at various companies, including Lowrance Electronics, King Radio Corporation, and AlliedSignal (now Honeywell Aerospace), where he held various leadership roles and gained valuable expertise in navigation and communication systems.
In 1989, Gary Burrell, along with Min Kao, co-founded Garmin Corporation in Lenexa, Kansas. The company was initially named "ProNav" and focused on developing GPS navigation products for the aviation market. Their first product, the GPS 100, was a panel-mounted GPS receiver designed for general aviation aircraft. The company quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality, reliable, and easy-to-use GPS devices.
Under Burrell's leadership, Garmin expanded its product portfolio to serve a wide range of industries, including automotive, marine, fitness, and outdoor recreation. Some of the company's most notable innovations include the StreetPilot series, which revolutionized automotive navigation, and the Forerunner series of GPS-enabled sports watches.
Gary Burrell served as the CEO of Garmin until 2002 and continued as the Co-Chairman of the Board until his retirement in 2004. Even after retirement, Burrell remained involved with the company as Chairman Emeritus. Under his leadership, Garmin grew from a small startup to a global leader in GPS technology and navigation products.
Gary Burrell passed away on June 12, 2019, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship in the GPS and navigation industries. His vision, expertise, and dedication to creating user-friendly and reliable navigation products have had a lasting impact on how people navigate and explore the world.
In summary, Gary Burrell was an American entrepreneur and engineer who co-founded Garmin Corporation, a leading manufacturer of GPS technology and navigation products. Burrell's extensive experience in the aviation and navigation industries, along with his leadership and innovative spirit, played a crucial role in Garmin's growth and success, making the company a global leader in the GPS and navigation market.
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