Founder Profile
Joe Parkinson
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya
Who is Joe Parkinson?
Joe Parkinson is a founder of Micron Technology, Inc., which was founded in 1978 with Ward Parkinson, Dennis Wilson and Doug Pitman.
- Company founded
- Micron Technology, Inc.
- Founded
- 1978
- Co-founders
- Ward Parkinson, Dennis Wilson and Doug Pitman
Background
Lawyer and brother of co-founder Ward Parkinson.
Founding Story
Joe Parkinson served as the first CEO of Micron Technology. He managed the company's highly aggressive, successful anti-dumping lawsuits against massive Japanese semiconductor conglomerates in the 1980s, securing tariffs that saved the US memory industry. He led the company through its IPO before resigning in 1994 following disputes with major investor J.R. Simplot. Joe Parkinson was born in 1945.
Sources
This profile does not yet cite a source specific to Joe Parkinson. The sources below document the company company rather than the person, so check them against the claims above.
- Micron FY2025 Form 10-K (Micron Technology, Inc.)
- Micron FY2026 results press release (Micron Technology, Inc.)