Public Storage vs Samsung: Founders, CEOs and History
Public Storage was founded in 1972 by B. Wayne Hughes, Kenneth Volk Jr. and is led by Tom Boyle. Samsung was founded in 1969 by Lee Byung-chul and is led by Jun Young-hyun and Roh Tae-moon.
Company facts
Public Storage
- Founded
- 1972
- Headquarters
- Frisco, Texas
- Current CEO
- Tom Boyle
- Employees
- 5,770
Samsung
- Founded
- 1969
- Headquarters
- Suwon, South Korea
- Current CEO
- Jun Young-hyun and Roh Tae-moon
- Employees
- 259,149
Founders
Public Storage
B. Wayne Hughes
B. Wayne Hughes (1933-2021) co-founded Public Storage in 1972 with Kenneth Volk Jr. and led it for three decades, building the orange-door brand and financing growth through real estate partnerships before consolidating them into a public REIT.
Kenneth Volk Jr.
Kenneth Volk Jr. co-founded Public Storage in 1972 alongside B. Wayne Hughes. While Hughes was the absolute visionary who recognized the massive potential of the self-storage concept, Volk provided the crucial initial real estate expertise and seed capital req…
Samsung
Lee Byung-chul
Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung Sanghoe in Daegu in 1938, trading dried fish, produce and noodles.
CEOs and their tenures
Public Storage
- Joseph D. Russell Jr.2019–2026
President and Chief Executive Officer
Serving as CEO, he aggressively defends Public Storage's position as the absolute largest self-storage owner on Earth, strictly maintaining its premium pricing power.
Source - Tom Boyle2026–present
Chief Executive Officer
As CFO, he acts as the absolute financial backbone of the REIT, ensuring it generates the massive free cash flow required to consistently increase its legendary dividend.
Source - Joe Fisher2026–present
President and Chief Financial Officer
As CFO (and eventually President), he drove the massive technological modernization of the company's incredibly vast, legacy property portfolio.
Source
Samsung
- Jong-Hee Han2022–2025
Vice Chairman and CEO
A longtime TV business leader who helped keep Samsung the top global TV brand. He died suddenly in March 2025 while in office.
Source - Jay Y. Lee2022–present
Executive Chairman
Grandson of the founder and son of Lee Kun-hee. He was convicted in the 2017 bribery case and pardoned in 2022, and became Executive Chairman in October 2022. In 2025 the Supreme Court upheld his acquittal in the separate merger and accounting fraud case.
Source - Jun Young-hyun2024–present
Vice Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Head of Device Solutions
He implemented a complete overhaul of the semiconductor division's engineering processes, issuing a rare public apology in 2024 for the company's technological delays.
Source - Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh)2025–present
Co-Chief Executive Officer, Head of Device eXperience
As head of the MX (Mobile eXperience) division, he heavily integrated AI features (Galaxy AI) into the S-series flagship phones to combat Apple's dominance in the premium tier.
Source
Timeline: Public Storage and Samsung side by side
1938Samsung
Samsung Group begins
Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung as a trading company before later generations expanded the group into electronics and industry.
1969Samsung
Samsung Electronics established
Samsung Electronics Industry Co. Ltd. was established as the group entered electronics manufacturing.
1972Public Storage
Founding
B. Wayne Hughes and Kenneth Volk Jr. found Public Storage and open a first facility in El Cajon, California.
1977Samsung
Korea Semiconductor acquired
Samsung acquired Korea Semiconductor, a key step toward memory and component manufacturing leadership.
1993Samsung
New Management initiative
Lee Kun-hee launched the New Management push to raise quality, design, and global competitiveness.
1995Public Storage
Public Storage Inc. and Storage Equities Merge
Public Storage Inc. and Storage Equities merged in 1995 to form the REIT now known as Public Storage.
2006Public Storage
Shurgard acquisition
Public Storage acquires Shurgard Storage Centers, adding U.S. properties and a European business later spun out as Shurgard, in which it keeps an equity stake.
2016Public Storage
Joe Russell Becomes CEO
Joe Russell succeeded Ronald Havner as chief executive in January 2016.
2017Samsung
Harman acquisition closes
Samsung completed the Harman acquisition, expanding into connected car systems and premium audio.
2022Samsung
Jong-Hee Han becomes CEO
Jong-Hee Han became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2022. A longtime TV business leader who helped keep Samsung the top global TV brand.
2023Public Storage
Simply Self Storage acquisition
Public Storage buys Simply Self Storage from Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust for $2.2 billion, adding 127 properties.
2024Samsung
Jun Young-hyun becomes CEO
Jun Young-hyun became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2024. Head of the semiconductor (Device Solutions) division and memory business; sole CEO for part of 2025 after Han Jong-hee's death, then co-CEO with TM Roh from November 2025.
2025Samsung
TM Roh joins Young Hyun Jun as co-CEO
Samsung named TM Roh Head of Device eXperience and CEO, joining Young Hyun Jun as co-CEO.
2025Samsung
Annual revenue reaches ~$237B (KRW 333.6T)
Samsung Electronics reported ~$237 billion (KRW 333.6 trillion) in 2025 annual revenue and ~$31 billion (KRW 43.6 trillion) in operating profit.
2025Samsung
Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh) becomes CEO
Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh) became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2025. Longtime head of the mobile business.
2026Public Storage
PS4.0, new CEO and Texas headquarters
In February 2026 the company announces its PS4.0 plan, names Tom Boyle CEO effective April 1, 2026, and says it will move its headquarters to Frisco, Texas.
2026Public Storage
NSA acquisition closes
On July 22, 2026 Public Storage completes its all-stock acquisition of National Storage Affiliates, valued at about $10.5 billion including debt.
2026Public Storage
Q2 2026 results and PS Canada deal
Q2 2026 Core FFO is $4.17 per share; the company raises 2026 guidance and agrees to buy Public Storage Canada's 68 properties for US$1.2 billion.
Acquisitions
Public Storage
- National Storage Affiliates Trust (NSA)2026$10.5B
- Public Storage Canada2026$1.2B
- Simply Self Storage2023$2.2B
- Shurgard Storage Centers2006Undisclosed
Samsung
- FlaktGroup2025$1.7B
- Xealth2025Undisclosed
- Harman International2017$8B
- SmartThings2014$200M
Questions about Public Storage vs Samsung
Who is the CEO of Public Storage and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Public Storage is led by Tom Boyle and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is led by Jun Young-hyun and Roh Tae-moon. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Public Storage founded vs Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. was founded in 1969 — 3 years before Public Storage, which was founded in 1972. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Public Storage.
How many employees does Public Storage have compared to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Public Storage employs approximately 5,770 people, while Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. employs approximately 259,149. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has the larger workforce at 259,149 employees, compared to Public Storage's 5,770. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Public Storage and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. headquartered?
Public Storage is headquartered in United States and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is headquartered in South Korea. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Public Storage and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Public Storage was founded by B. Wayne Hughes, Kenneth Volk Jr.. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. was founded by Lee Byung-chul.
Which company has a longer operating history — Public Storage or Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has been operating for approximately 57 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Public Storage has been in operation for around 54 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Public Storage vs Samsung overview