Min H. Kao

Min H. Kao is the Department Head and Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He holds a BS from National Taiwan University and MS/PhD in Electrical Engineering from UT Knoxville. As Executive Chairman of Garmin Ltd., he co-founded the company in 1989, revolutionizing consumer GPS technology. His leadership transformed Garmin into a global leader in navigation and communication equipment across aviation, automotive, and outdoor markets.

Kao has made significant contributions to UT through philanthropy: a $12.5M donation established the Min H. Kao Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building, and an additional $5M endowment supports academic initiatives. The department itself was renamed in his honor in 2018. His career exemplifies the intersection of academic training and entrepreneurial innovation, driven by a commitment to advancing engineering education and technology.