Scott Oki Biography

Scott Oki

Born to a Japanese-American family, Oki attended the University of Washington, leaving after 18 months to join the Air Force. While in the service he took courses at the University of Colorado. After he left the service in 1974, he went on to receive a B.A. in accounting and information systems. He earned an M.B.A. the following year. After holding several computer-oriented jobs, Oki and some friends founded a firm to develop and sell management systems in 1980. After that failed, he went to work for Microsoft in 1982. Oki built Microsoft's international operations and was named vice president of sales and marketing. Within five years the company's sales rose to $1 billion from $100 million. However, the price for his success was high. Oki worked 100-hour weeks and took only one day off during one three year period. When he retired in 1992 after 10 years with Microsoft, Oki reportedly cashed in stock options estimated at $100 million. He now runs the non-profit Oki Foundation, owns several golf courses, and spends time with his family.