# Ken Oshman

Malin Kenneth Oshman (July 9, 1940 – August 6, 2011) was an American entrepreneur,electrical engineer, and Silicon Valley pioneer, best known for co-founding ROLM Corporation and as CEO of Echelon Corporation. Oshman and three former classmates from Rice University founded ROLM, growing it into a Fortune 500 company. After he left ROLM, became chief executive officer of Echelon Corporation.
Oshman’s work in telecommunications and control networking contributed to the development of digital telephone switching systems and technologies used in the smart grid.
In addition to his business endeavors, Oshman was involved in various philanthropic and leadership roles, contributing to educational and community initiatives. He served on boards and advisory councils for organizations such as Stanford University, Rice University, and several technology companies.

## Early life and education

Malin Kenneth Oshman was born on July 9, 1940, in Kansas City, Missouri, and grew up in Rosenberg, Texas, near Houston. He attended St. Mark's School of Texas, a private college-preparatory school for boys, and then went on to attend Rice University in Houston, Texas. At Rice, he earned a B.A.degree, summa cum laude in 1962, and a B.S. in electrical engineering in 1963. He went on to graduate school, at Stanford University in California, where he earned a master's degree (1965) and Ph.D (1968) in electrical engineering.

## 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 — Gene Richeson, Walter Loewenstern, and Robert Maxfield. 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, in 1988, Oshman became 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.