Kun-Yao (K.Y.) Lee

Founder of BenQ Corporation, the No. 2 manufacturer of flat-panel computer displays, Lee is also recognized for growing the company to 40 times its former size and building BenQ products into a nearly billion-dollar brand.

Born in Houlong, Miaoli, Taiwan, Lee graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from National Taiwan University and an M.B.A. from International Institute for Management Development Switzerland (IMD). He has served as founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of BenQ Corporation, the No. 2 manufacturer of flat-panel computer displays.

Following his graduation from the engineering department of Taiwan's most elite school, his career progressed steadily from 1976, when he joined Acer and became an executive in the subsidiary that manufactured peripherals. In 1990, Lee left the company to earn his MBA from IMD and then returned to Taiwan to take over as President of Acer Peripherals. The company, which went through several name changes, grew to 40 times its former size, and his BenQ products — mostly flat-panel screens and mobile phones — became nearly a billion-dollar brand.

He has also served as Chairman of AU Optronics Corp., one of the world's largest manufacturers of flat panels, as well as Director of Darfon Electrics Corp., Daxon Technology Inc., and Airoha Technology Inc. In February 2003, Lee's photo appeared on the front cover of Forbes Global, and the story of his success was detailed in their article "The IQ in BenQ".