The Utah Technology Council Acknowledges Utah’s Legendary Successes: Bernard Daines and James LeVoy Sorenson

By Richard R. Nelson

The Utah Technology Council’s ninth annual Hall of Fame event underscores an important truth: Utah’s technology industries are not only rich in growth and in number, but rich in heritage. Utah is the launching point for a myriad of the leading executives who have shaped the technology world. This year is no exception, as we acknowledge two individuals, Bernard Daines and James LeVoy Sorenson, who have made crucial contributions to the information technology and life science industries. Their contributions have had global impact. I would like to share just a little bit of information about these two inductees:

Bernard Daines

Bernard Daines is widely regarded as the “Father of the Gigabit Ethernet,” the technology that sits at the core of all computer networks today. Daines has been instrumental in the development of IEEE standards and solutions for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet. In 1992, he triggered the massive growth of the networking industry when he co-founded Grand Junction Networks—the industry’s first Fast Ethernet switch manufacturer. Daines also founded Packet Engines in 1994 where he led the industry’s adoption of Gigabit Ethernet technology. Daines pioneered in the optical broadband revolution by founding World Wide Packets in 1999.

As former chairman and CEO of Linux Networx, Daines delivered clustered super-computer systems with unparalleled price/performance capabilities. Moreover, he led the adoption of new market opportunities for Ethernet in the Local Area Network, Ethernet in the Metro Area Network and Ethernet in the First Mile. His contributions to the advancement of the networking industry have been internationally recognized.

He was a key player in developing the computer science department at his alma mater, BrighamYoungUniversity, and has participated in course instruction and curriculum formation.

James LeVoy Sorenson

James LeVoy Sorenson is a renowned Utah entrepreneur who has significantly changed the global life sciences and healthcare landscape, inventing and producing many medical products that have become standard equipment in hospital and clinical settings throughout the world. Jim Sorenson began his career as a pharmaceuticals salesman, but quickly showed a penchant for creating novel, life-enhancing solutions to vexing medical problems. Some of his leading inventions include the first mass-produced disposable surgical masks, non-invasive plastic venous catheters and catheter tips, innovative blood recycling and infusion systems, and the first real-time computerized heart monitoring system. Sorenson’s inventions garnered more than 40 patents throughout the course of his career.

In 1957, Sorenson co-founded Deseret Pharmaceuticals, which later became the foundation for Becton Dickinson Vascular Access. Sorenson Research, which he launched in 1962, produced approximately 500 individual products and employed 1,700 people before it was purchased by Abbott Laboratories in 1980, making Sorenson Abbott’s largest individual shareholder. Sorenson Research products and approaches greatly aided the development of Abbott Critical Care Systems and Hospira.

Sorenson is currently chairman of The Sorenson Companies, parent company to approximately 30 organizations in industries ranging from medical devices and bioscience to real estate, information technology, equity investment and manufacturing.

Sorenson, now 86 years old, continues to actively pursue new ventures. The Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation is building the world’s leading database of correlated genetic and family history information. The Sorenson Genomics family of companies is a leading provider of genetic relatedness testing and advanced forensics. By demonstrating the close genetic connection shared by all members of the human family, Sorenson endeavors to promote a heightened sense of identity, connection and belonging among all people.

Clearly, both of these individuals are deserving of UTC’s highest recognition, which they will receive on November 30 at the Ninth Annual Hall of Fame where Paul Otellini, CEO of Intel, will give the keynote address. Let’s applaud their remarkable efforts at this momentous event.

Richard Nelson is president and CEO of the Utah Technology Council (UTC) and chairman and CEO of the national Council of Regional Information Technology Associations (CRITA). For more information about UTC and about the Hall of Fame event, readers can visit www.utahtechcouncil.org.