Robert B. Palmer

Robert B. Palmer (born September 11, 1940) is an American businessman best known for his role as the last Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Equipment Corporation. Palmer was one of the founders of Mostek Corporation, which was founded in 1969 by former employees of Texas Instruments. Mostek made logic, memory, and microprocessor chips. In 1980, United Technologies Corporation (UTC) acquired Mostek Corporation, and Palmer became Exec... more

Robert B. Palmer (born September 11, 1940) is an American businessman best known for his role as the last Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Equipment Corporation. Palmer was one of the founders of Mostek Corporation, which was founded in 1969 by former employees of Texas Instruments. Mostek made logic, memory, and microprocessor chips. In 1980, United Technologies Corporation (UTC) acquired Mostek Corporation, and Palmer became Executive Vice President of Semiconductor Operations. In 1985, Palmer joined Digital where he served in various executive positions until being appointed as Chief Executive Officer and President in October 1992, replacing founder Ken Olsen. Prior to Palmer's appointment, Digital had reported its first quarterly loss ever in 1990 and a net loss for fiscal year 1991. Palmer undertook numerous restructurings, massive layoffs (more than 60,000 people), and plant closings in an effort to remain competitive. In 1993 Mitsubishi agreed to manufacture... less