Judith Estrin facts for kids

Judith "Judy" L. Estrin, born in 1954 or 1955, is an American businesswoman and giver. She has helped start eight different technology companies. In the 1970s, while at Stanford University, Judy worked with Vinton Cerf on a big project called the Transmission Control Protocol. This was important for how computers talk to each other. From 1998 to 2000, she was the main technology leader, called the chief technology officer, at Cisco Systems. Since 2007, Judy Estrin has been the CEO of JLABS, LLC. This company helps new ideas grow in businesses, government, and groups that don't aim to make a profit.

Early Life and Education

Judy Estrin's parents, Thelma and Gerald Estrin, were both computer scientists. They worked at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Judy is the middle of three sisters, and all of them have had successful careers. Her sister, Deborah Estrin, is also a computer science professor.

Growing up, Judy focused a lot on her studies. She learned a lot and followed the example of her parents. In high school, Judy was also very interested in folk dance.

Studying Computers and Networks

Judy earned her first college degree in mathematics and computer science from UCLA. Later, in 1977, she got a master's degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University. At Stanford, Judy worked with a research group led by Vinton Cerf. Cerf is known as an "Internet pioneer" and one of the "fathers of the Internet."

Cerf's team created the rules for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, often called TCP/IP. Judy's job on the team was to help test the TCP with University College London. She also looked into Ethernet technology. Ethernet helps connect computers together in a local area, like in an office or school.

Career in Technology

After finishing her studies at Stanford, Judy Estrin worked at a new company called Zilog Corporation. This company made computer chips and had started from Intel. At Zilog, she helped design early computer processors called the Z8 and Z8000 microprocessors. She also led the team that created one of the first commercial local area network systems, called Z-net. This system allowed computers in a small area to share information.

Starting New Companies

While at Zilog, Judy decided she wanted to start a company focused on computer networks. Networks were becoming very popular at that time. She wanted to work in marketing, explaining what networks did and how they worked.

In 1981, Judy Estrin helped start Bridge Communications. This company made network routers, bridges, and communication servers. These devices help direct information traffic on networks. Bridge Communications became a publicly traded company in 1985. This meant its shares could be bought and sold by the public. In 1987, Bridge merged with another company called 3Com.

At Bridge, Judy was in charge of the technology and engineering side of the company. She also became the director of marketing and sales. After the merger with 3Com, Judy left the company. In 1988, she joined the founding team of Network Computing Devices (NCD). She became an executive vice president and later the president and CEO in 1993.

In 1995, Judy Estrin co-founded Precept Software, Inc. This company developed software for computer networks. She was its president and CEO until Cisco Systems bought it in 1998. After the purchase, she became the chief technology officer and senior vice president at Cisco Systems until 2000.

In 1998, Fortune magazine named Judy Estrin one of the "50 most powerful businesswomen in the United States."

In 2000, Estrin co-founded Packet Design, LLC. This was another networking technology company. It received $24 million in funding from investors. Packet Design later created three new startups. At Packet Design, Judy worked on advanced network technology. She was the CEO of Packet Design, LLC, until it closed in late 2007. After Packet Design, she started JLABS, LLC. She saw this as a way to follow her interests in new ideas and leadership. In 2013, she became the CEO of Evntlive, a tech company started by her son, David Carrico.

Author and Board Positions

Judy Estrin wrote a book called Closing the Innovation Gap: Reigniting the Spark of Creativity in a Global Economy. The book, published in 2008, encourages leaders in business, schools, and government to work together. Her goal is to help the United States become more competitive again in new ideas.

Estrin has also served on the boards of several large companies. A board helps guide a company's decisions. She was on the board of FedEx Corporation (1989-2010), Rockwell Automation (1994-1998), and Sun Microsystems (1995-2003). She also served on the board of the Walt Disney Company for fifteen years (1998-2014). In 2011, she was part of the Innovation Advisory Board for America COMPETES.

See also

In Spanish: Judith Estrin para niños