Thurman J. Rodgers '70, Th'72

President and CEO, Cypress Semiconductor

Founder of a high-flying computer chipmaker, the hard-driving T.J. Rodgers is a classic computer-industry entrepreneur made good. A notable innovation: "killer" software that automatically shuts down departments that don't perform to spec. One of the innovators who are taking market share back from the Japanese, Rodgers is also known to readers of The Wall Street Journal as a harsh critic of big chipmaking companies, U.S. semiconductor subsidies, and of trade relations with the Japanese. He has a right to talk: In 1991, eight years after its founding, Cypress was grossing almost $300 million a year. Time magazine was calling the former freshman football middle guard the Valley's latest "enfant terrible." And management pundit Tom Peters was calling him "a national treasure." Don't expect Rodgers to head up a big company in the future. He hates big companies. Instead, Cypress will spin off an ever-growing number of entrepreneurial subsidiaries all headed by Rodgers.

Rodgersis no Mr.Chips.