{"id":"f952aabe-8f13-4195-b0c8-f957938133a9","slug":"gary-burrell","name":"Gary Burrell","bioBrief":"American electrical engineer, businessman, and philanthropist who co-founded [Garmin](/companies/garmin) with [Min Kao](/people/min-kao) in 1989 to build GPS navigation devices for aviation and boating. Previously worked at Lowrance Electronics, King Radio Corporation, and Allied Signal. Garmin grew into a leading GPS consumer and aviation electronics company; Burrell served as chairman emeritus until his death on June 12, 2019, at age 81 from complications of Parkinson's disease. Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in September 2024. Held a BS from Wichita State University and an MS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.","priorExits":null,"nationality":"American","verificationPosture":"verified","aliases":[],"sources":[{"url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Burrell","title":"Gary Burrell","sourceName":"Wikipedia"},{"url":"https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/20/business/gary-burrell-dead.html","title":"Gary Burrell, Who Helped People Find Their Way (With GPS), Dies at 81","sourceName":"New York Times"}],"reviewStatus":"reviewed","createdAt":"2026-08-18T04:03:10.451Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-20T14:51:04.249Z","educations":[],"companyRoles":[{"id":"fcc4073a-1cfe-4ef6-b9b6-0616361b7705","personId":"f952aabe-8f13-4195-b0c8-f957938133a9","companyId":"10d2c172-5ed4-4208-a38d-d39d65e66db2","role":"other","roleTitle":"Co-founder (1989, deceased)","startDate":null,"endDate":null,"currentRole":false,"roleBasis":"verified_secondary","createdAt":"2026-08-18T04:06:01.795Z","company":{"slug":"garmin","name":"Garmin"}}],"boardRoles":[],"investorRoles":[],"foundings":[]}