Manuel "Manny" Fernandez (born April 22, 1946) is an American engineer and businessman. Fernandez is known for being the founder of the Gavilan Computer Corporation. This company was a pioneer, developing one of the first truly portable

laptop computers A laptop, laptop computer, or notebook computer is a small, portable personal computer (PC) with a screen and alphanumeric keyboard. Laptops typically have a Flip (form), clam shell Form factor (design), form factor with the computer scr ...

in 1983, the Gavilan SC. Fernandez would later go on to become the CEO of

Gartner Gartner, Inc is a technological research and consulting firm based in Stamford, Connecticut that conducts research on technology and shares this research both through private consulting as well as executive programs and conferences. Its client ...

and the head of SI Ventures. Most recently, he was named executive chairman of

Sysco Corporation Sysco Corporation (short for Systems and Services Company) is an American multinational corporation involved in marketing and distributing food products, smallwares, kitchen equipment and tabletop items to restaurants, healthcare and educatio ...

. Prior to founding SI Ventures, Manny was President, Chairman, and CEO (1991–2001) of Gartner, where he grew Gartner from $40 million in annual revenues to $900 million and market capitalization grew to over $4 billion, taking the company public in 1994. Manny continues to serve as Chairman Emeritus. Prior to Gartner, Manny was President and CEO of three technology-driven companies, including Dataquest - an information services company, Gavilan Computer corporation - a laptop computer manufacturer, and Zilog Incorporated - a publicly traded micro-possessor company. At Zilog, he was responsible for growing annual revenue from $5 million to $120 million in only three years. Previously, Mr. Fernandez was also a Group Executive Vice President of

Fairchild Semiconductor Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc. was an American semiconductor company based in San Jose, California. Founded in 1957 as a division of Fairchild Camera and Instrument, it became a pioneer in the manufacturing of transistors and of int ...

, where he managed roughly one-third of Fairchild's business at the time. He began his career in engineering positions with

ITT ITT may refer to: Communication * Infantry-Tank Telephone, a device allowing infantrymen to speak to the occupants of armoured vehicles. Mathematics *Intuitionistic type theory, other name of Martin-Löf Type Theory *Intensional type theory B ...

and

Harris Corporation Harris Corporation was an American technology company, defense contractor, and information technology services provider that produced wireless equipment, tactical radios, electronic systems, night vision equipment and both terrestrial and spac ...

. Manny holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and post graduate in Solid State Physics from the

University of Florida The University of Florida (Florida or UF) is a public land-grant research university in Gainesville, Florida. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida, traces its origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its ...

. Manny was also recognized as entrepreneur of the year in 1998. Some of Manny's NYSE board seats include Stanley/Black & Decker, Sysco Corporation, Brunswick, and

Flowers Foods Flowers Foods, headquartered in Thomasville, Georgia, is a producer and marketer of packed bakery food. The company operates 47 bakeries producing bread, buns, rolls, snack cakes, pastries, and tortillas. Flowers Foods' products are sold reg ...

. He has been recognized as one of the top 100 Directors by Directorship for his board leadership. Manny has also served in President George W. Bush President's Information Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC). He was appointed to the University of Florida Board of Trustees in 2001, and from (2003–2007) he served as chairman of the board. While on the board he was successful at implementing a differential tuition program at the university.

Education

* Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the

in 1967.

Awards

* Fernandez was awarded the Gran Caiman of the year in 2007.

References

External links

Official UF info on Fernandez

Info on Fernandez

Fernandez in Gainesville Sun

Fernandez on the Ledger

Fernandez on the Alligator
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fernandez, Manuel Fernandez, Manny Fernandez, Manny 1946 births American chief executives