To: Hank Stamper who wrote (9365 ) 4/24/2000 2:15:00 AM From: Mick Mørmøny Respond to of 24042
Doc: If you know your patients, you should know the CEO of the company you are invested in too. The following is from the 5/00 edition of Worth Online.worth.com 41 Kevin N. Kalkhoven JDS Uniphase 3-year return: 5615.5% Age: 55 CEO since: 1992 Smart acquisitions have been the key to Kevin Kalkhoven's turning what he calls "a sleepy little gas laser company" into what analysts have called "the hottest stock on the Nasdaq." Kalkhoven joins our list after consistently pursuing the technology he thought would bolster JDS Uniphase's core business, which is to manufacture a wide range of products that go into the advanced fiber-optic systems assembled by other manufacturers. Ever since Kalkhoven first gambled $8 million--virtually all of the company's IPO proceeds--on new fiber-optic technology, his bets have paid off handsomely. BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY: "A CEO serves three constituencies: staff, customers, and shareholders," says Kalkhoven, "and you have to serve all three well." HEADACHE: The manufacturing of fiber-optic equipment is difficult and has resisted automation, while demand is growing faster than the industry's ability to produce. TRUE STORY: Boston Chicken was the hot IPO while Kalkhoven was trying to raise capital, and few investors would hear him out. One day, following a presentation by Boston Chicken, he ad-libbed a farcical speech about the advantages of laser-seared chicken. He got his IPO. PERSONAL STRENGTHS: Having extraordinary vision of where the market is going, and being the savvy deal-maker needed to get there. Weak Spots: Vision for industry exceeds financial savvy. Frequently quoted saying, "I don't know a lot about Wall Street." HOW HE GOT THE JOB: Likes personal contact and having fun with employees and customers and travels constantly. "My butt looks like an airplane seat." HOW HE GOT THE JOB: Tired of computers, became interested in lasers, took the helm of a then-small company, Uniphase. PASSIONS: Scuba diving, skiing, piloting his personal jet. CORPORATE GOAL: "To be the technology enabler and provider for the bandwidth revolution." PERSONAL GOAL: To ski all the Olympic downhill race courses. FINANCIAL REWARDS: Has exercisable options worth $152 million. --L.O.