Ronald Stordahl

Ronald Arthur Stordahl (born November 9, 1943) is the founder of electronic component distributor Digi-Key Electronics, located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.[1] He previously served as chief executive officer but is now member of the board.[2]

Early life

Ronald was born in Roseau, Minnesota to Arthur Vernon (1909–2011) and Ina (Olson) Stordahl (1922–2020) in 1943.[3] His paternal grandfather, Louis, was an immigrant from Flesberg, Buskerud, Norway.

Career

Stordahl's interest in ham radio provided the springboard for what became Digi-Key Electronics.[4] While in college he assembled and began selling an electronic keyer kit, called the Digi-Keyer, for sending radiotelegraph code for ham radio operators.[5][6]

After obtaining his PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota,[5] Stordahl returned to his hometown of Thief River Falls. The keyer kit was discontinued and he began selling electronic components in 1972.

Digi-Key Electronics has become one of the fastest growing electronic component distributors in the world. The privately held company has annual sales of over $3 billion and employs over 5,000 people.

Stordahl holds the amateur radio callsign AE5E.[7]

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