SAN DIEGO, Nov. 10, 1998 — QUALCOMM Inc. (Nasdaq “QCOM”) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq “MSFT”) today announced the appointment of John Major as president and chief executive officer of the newly formed Wireless Knowledge, a Microsoft and QUALCOMM company. In his new position, Major will lead the development and delivery of wireless services and applications, based on an open, end-to-end architecture that will shape the new generation of wireless connectivity and information access.
“John Major is a recognized leader in the wireless industry, respected for his expertise, strategic thinking and dynamic leadership,” said Dr. Irwin M. Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer for QUALCOMM. “His contributions at QUALCOMM have made a significant impact on our wireless infrastructure business around the world. In his new role, John will draw upon his extensive wireless experience and industry savvy to power his vision for the company’s success.”
“John Major’s demonstrated leadership and vision will help drive the success of Wireless Knowledge as a technology leader in the wireless computing industry,” said Steve Ballmer, president of Microsoft. “John is uniquely qualified to drive the rapid delivery of Wireless Knowledge services to wireless carriers across the industry.”
Most recently, Major served as executive vice president of QUALCOMM and president of its wireless infrastructure business. Before joining QUALCOMM, he demonstrated more than 15 years of successful executive leadership at Motorola Inc., where he most recently served as senior vice president and staff chief technical officer. In that role, he led the company’s effort to develop world-class excellence in software processes. Previously, he served as senior vice president and general manager for Motorola’s worldwide systems group of the land mobile products sector. That team developed computer-based radio systems for public safety and industry users.
” Wireless Knowledge will spearhead the convergence of wireless, Internet and computing technologies to allow mobile devices to reliably access the Internet and drive the development and delivery of meaningful new wireless applications and services to enterprise, small businesses and consumers alike,” Major said. ” Wireless Knowledge is uniquely positioned to have a dramatic impact on remote productivity.”
Major serves on the board of directors executive committee for the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and is vice chairman for the Electronics Industry Association (EIA). In addition, he serves as vice chairman of the board of directors for the Electromagnetic Energy Association.
Major earned bachelor’s of science and master’s of science degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Rochester and the University of Illinois, respectively. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern University and a law degree from Loyola University. In May 1995 Mr. Major received an honorary doctorate from Westminster College.
Wireless Knowledge, a QUALCOMM and Microsoft company based in San Diego, enables wireless carriers to deliver on the convergence of wireless communications and information technology with the delivery of productivity and information services in an airlink- and device-independent environment. For more information, please visit http://www.wirelessknowledge.com .
QUALCOMM Inc. is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on the company’s CDMA digital technology. The company’s major business areas include CDMA digital phones, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), wireless infrastructure, technology licensing, and satellite-based systems including OmniTRACS and portions of the Globalstar system. With headquarters in San Diego, QUALCOMM’s fiscal 1998 revenues exceeded $3 billion (U.S.). For more information, please visit the company’s Web site at http://www.qualcomm.com .
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
QUALCOMM, OmniTRACS and Eudora Pro are registered trademarks of QUALCOMM Inc.
Globalstar is a trademark of Loral QUALCOMM Satellite Services Inc.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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