Leader of the world’s second-largest manufacturer of micro motors
Patrick S. Wang earned bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering in 1972. Following his education, Wang returned to his family's business in Hong Kong. With Wang as chairman and chief executive officer, the company, Johnson Electric, transitioned from producing motors for high-end model racing cars to manufacturing motors for hand-held hair dryers – a technology Wang developed. Through his strategic vision and innovative approach, Johnson Electric has grown exponentially, becoming the second-largest manufacturer of micro motors globally, with nearly $4 billion in annual sales. The company operates manufacturing facilities in 22 countries and employs more than 35,000 people. Purdue honored Wang with an Outstanding Electrical Engineer Award in 1998 and a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award in 2001. Additionally, Purdue’s Seng-Liang Wang Hall of Electrical and Computer Engineering is named for Patrick Wang’s father.