Paul Jorgensen came to SRI from GE in Schenectady where he was a coinventor of the high-pressure sodium lamps that now light our streets and highways. Paul joined SRI in August 1968 as Chairman of the Ceramics Department and established himself as an outstanding technical leader. He held management positions in the Materials Lab, the Physical Sciences Division, and the Life Sciences Division, and then became the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of SRI. In 1994 Paul became Executive Vice President for Major Programs, and retired from full time employment in December 2000. He has continued to provide leadership for SRI Japan and SRI Korea.
Paul guided the Japan Office for many years. He got the first SRI project funded by the Japanese government, and this relationship continues today. When President Reagan and the Premier of Japan agreed to more technical cooperation, Paul guided the effort that won SRI two of the six US projects that NTT funded. He led a multiyear project for Osaka Gas that involved more than 100 projects spread over many SRI units. He initiated projects with Isuzu that continued for 18 years.
Paul has left a vast legacy. He championed the funding, design, and construction of the P-Building. He conceived and championed the SRI Fellows Program. He was the prime mover in changing SRI policy to establish royalty sharing with inventors. When SRI management was reluctant to pursue a patent infringement by ATL, Paul persuaded the Board of Directors to defend SRI’s intellectual property rights. The resulting lawsuit ended in SRI’s favor with an award of $37.5 millions.
Paul’s contributions have made SRI a stronger and more effective organization. He has been demanding of his staff while providing them with excellent leadership, and has always had their respect. In the 34 years Paul has been at SRI, he has built a long-term legacy for SRI in Japan and Korea, and has championed management initiatives that continue to be important to SRI’s enduring success.