Robert B. Palmer

Who is Robert B. Palmer?

Robert B. Palmer is an American businessman in the computer industry who was the last Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Equipment Corporation.

Palmer was one of the founders of Mostek Corporation, which was founded in 1969 by former employees of Texas Instruments. Mostek made logic, memory, and microprocessor chips. In 1980, United Technologies Corporation acquired Mostek Corporation, and Palmer became Executive Vice President of Semiconductor Operations.

In 1985, Palmer joined Digital where he served in various executive positions until being appointed as Chief Executive Officer and President in October 1992, replacing founder Ken Olsen. Prior to Palmer's appointment, Digital had reported its first quarterly loss ever in 1990 and a net loss for fiscal year 1991. At the time the company had 35 plants around the world which were underutilized. Palmer undertook numerous restructurings, massive layoffs, and plant closings in an effort to remain competitive. In addition to his duties as CEO, Palmer became board chairman in 1995.

In 1993 Mitsubishi agreed to manufacture Digital's new Alpha 21066. In 1994 Digital sold its Rdb database software operations to Oracle Corporation. The following year Digital and Raytheon formed a multiyear, multimillion-dollar agreement to upgrade the onboard computer of the US Navy's E-2C Hawkeye aircraft.