Paul E. Jacobs is notable for leading Qualcomm as CEO from 2005 to 2014. His background is heavily rooted in technology; he earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from UC Berkeley. What's interesting is that he's actually from a Qualcomm...
Paul E. Jacobs is notable for leading Qualcomm as CEO from 2005 to 2014. His background is heavily rooted in technology; he earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from UC Berkeley. What's interesting is that he's actually from a Qualcomm family; both his father, Irwin Jacobs, and brother, Jeffrey Jacobs, have had major roles in the company. When Paul took over as CEO, he focused on aligning executive compensation with company performance, which is pretty smart. In 2014, he made over $60 million, largely from a cash bonus program related to patents—a significant area for Qualcomm, given its role as a key player in smartphone technology. Under his leadership, Qualcomm expanded its influence in wireless communications, making critical advancements in 3G and 4G technologies. Even after stepping down as Executive Chairman in 2018, he continued to serve on the board, indicating his ongoing commitment to the company. His insider holdings show confidence in Qualcomm, holding substantial shares worth tens of millions through various trusts. This mix of expertise, family legacy, and business strategy really defines his approach to leading Qualcomm into new tech frontiers.