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Frank Greene, Jr.
Maker interview details
Interview
- March 31, 2002
Profession
- Category:
BusinessMakers
- Occupation(s):
Entrepreneur
Investment Chief Executive
Birthplace
- Born: October 19, 1938
- Birth Location: Washington, District of Columbia
Favorites
- Favorite Color: Blue
- Favorite Food: Fish
- Favorite Time of Year: Spring
- Favorite Vacation Spot: Skiing
Favorite Quote
"Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime."
Biography
In the world of business, Frank S. Greene, Jr. is a true renaissance man. He is a venture capitalist, electronics technologist and high-tech business executive. Greene was born on October 19, 1938, in Washington, D.C. to Frank S. Greene, Sr. and Irma Olivia Swygert. Greene has extensively studied electrical engineering, earning a B.S. from Washington University in St. Louis (1961), a M.S. from Purdue University (1962) and a Ph.D. from Santa Clara University (1970).
After completing his master's degree, Greene served in the United States Air Force as an Electronics Officer for four years, during which time he helped develop high performance computers for the National Security Agency. In 1965, he began working in research and development for Fairchild Semiconductor, where he assisted in the development of a patented memory chip design, the fastest at the time. In 1971, Greene became the founding CEO of Technology Development Corporation, a computer software and technical services company that would grow from four employees to over 300 by 1985, with annual revenues of over $30 million. As an offshoot of Technology Development Corporation, Greene founded Zero One Systems, Inc. in 1985. In 1993, he served as the founding General Partner of New Vista Capital, and the subsequent New Vista Capital Funds. With New Vista, he organized and developed a private equity venture capital fund and acts as a business and financial advisor to start up technology companies.
In addition, Greene has shared his expertise in the classroom, teaching courses in both computer sciences and electrical engineering at Stanford University, Santa Clara University, Howard University and Washington University in St. Louis.
Having sat on the boards of directors of Technology Development Corporation, Networked Picture Systems, Comsis Corporation, Beyond Software, Inc., Greene currently serves on the boards of Broadware, Compliance Coach, Quippe Technologies, ZNYX and Epicentric. In addition, he participates in community activities as a Board Member for the National Conference for Community and Justice and the American Musical Theater of San Jose and as a member of the Home Savings Community Partnership Council.
Greene was the recipient of the Purdue University Outstanding Electrical Engineer Award in 1999; was inducted into the Silicon Valley Hall of Fame in 2001; and was awarded the title of the Santa Clara University Distinguished Engineering Alumnus in 1993.
Mr. Greene passed away on December 26, 2009.
Previews from the Digital Archive
Watch the full interview in the Digital Archive
- Slating of Frank Greene's interview
- Frank Greene lists his favorites
- Frank Greene describes his father's family background
- Frank Greene describes his mother's family background
- Frank Greene describes his earliest childhood memories
- Frank Greene talks about growing up in Washington, D.C. in the 1940s
- Frank Greene describes the sights, smells, and sounds of his childhood
- Frank Greene describes his childhood personality
- Frank Greene describes his experiences in elementary school
- Frank Greene talks about moving to St. Louis, Missouri as a child
- Frank Greene describes how moving to St. Louis, Missouri impacted him
- Frank Greene describes his schooling experiences in St. Louis, Missouri
- Frank Greene talks about his interest in math and science as a youth
- Frank Greene talks about teachers that influenced his interest in math and science
- Frank Greene describes his aspirations as a youth
- Frank Greene describes his experiences attending Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri
- Frank Greene describes his professors at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri
- Frank Greene shares what he learned participating in the early Sit-In Movement
- Frank Greene talks about the early activity of the Civil Rights Movement
- Frank Greene talks about studying electrical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri
- Frank Greene talks about joining the U.S. Air Force and obtaining his M.S. degree from Purdue University
- Frank Greene describes what influenced him to join Washington University's R.O.T.C. program
- Frank Greene describes what makes a good leader
- Frank Greene talks about his most influential professor at Purdue University
- Frank Greene talks about being assigned to worked for the National Security Agency
- Frank Greene talks about the National Security Agency
- Frank Greene talks about retiring from the U.S. Air Force
- Frank Greene describes how Fairchild Semiconductor has shaped the technology field
- Frank Greene describes his family's reaction to his being hired at Fairchild Semiconductor
- Frank Greene compares his work at the National Security Agency and Fairchild Semiconductor
- Frank Greene describes what he learned from working at Fairchild Semiconductor
- Frank Greene describes what motivated him to end his career with Fairchild Semiconductor
- Frank Greene talks about President Richard Nixon's support of "Black Capitalism"
- Frank Greene talks about what motivated him to pursue a Ph.D. at Santa Clara University
- Frank Greene talks about founding Technology Development Corporation
- Frank Greene talks about the growth of Technology Development Corporation
- Frank Greene describes the software and technical services Technical Development Corporation offered
- Frank Greene reflects upon the significance of founding Technology Development Corporation
- Frank Greene talks about taking Technology Development Corporation public
- Frank Greene talks about Zero-One Systems
- Frank Greene talks about selling Zero-One Systems
- Frank Greene talks about his work as Chief Executive Officer of Network Picture Systems
- Frank Greene describes how he began New Vista Capital venture capital fund
- Frank Greene describes the process of raising a venture capital fund
- Frank Greene describes New Vista Capital's criteria for selecting businesses to invest in
- Frank Greene describes the factors necessary to successfully manage a venture capital fund
- Frank Greene talks about one of the companies he invested in, Epicentric
- Frank Greene describes some of the companies his fund invested in
- Frank Greene describes New Vista Capital's role in the venture capital community
- Frank Greene talks about New Vista Capital's management style and goals
- Frank Greene describes the lessons he learned that contributed to his success
- Frank Greene talks about building and maintaining strong relationships
- Frank Greene describes shaped his ability to network, sell, and negotiate
- Frank Greene describes his process for dealing with issues outside of his control
- Frank Greene comments on the future of America's business culture
- Frank Greene talks about the importance of motivating minorities to embrace opportunity
- Frank Greene talks about the importance of seeking out opportunity
- Frank Greene talks about his personal life and family
- Frank Greene talks about the significance and culture of Silicon Valley
- Frank Greene reflects upon his life
- Frank Greene talks about his legacy and what he would like to be remembered for
- Frank Greene narrates his photographs