J. Robert Beyster: 1924 to 2014

Dr. J. Robert Beyster, a former Navy ensign and scientist at Los Alamos, founded one of the best-known employee ownership companies in the United States, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), in 1969. He died on December 22 at his home in California. In its obituary for Beyster, the New York Times quotes his book, The SAIC Solution: "I have found that employees are more patient investors than the public. They are willing to wait longer for returns because they want a good place to work. They allow the company to invest in long-term growth and not just short-term gains." Beyster created the Foundation for Enterprise Development and the Beyster Institute at UC San Diego.