Ray Lane is a prominent figure in the technology industry, known for his leadership roles in several major companies and his contributions to the growth and development of the sector. He is currently a partner emeritus at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California.

Lane began his career in the technology industry at IBM, where he worked for 10 years. He then moved to Electronic Data Systems (EDS), where he served as a division president. After EDS, he joined Booz Allen Hamilton, a management consulting firm, where he led the global Information Technology Group.

In 1992, Lane joined Oracle Corporation, one of the world's leading software companies. He served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 1992 to 2000, working alongside CEO Larry Ellison. During his tenure, Oracle saw significant growth, with revenues increasing from $1 billion to more than $10 billion. However, Lane left Oracle in 2000 due to reported tensions with Ellison.

After leaving Oracle, Lane joined Kleiner Perkins in 2000 as a general partner. He focused on investments in enterprise software and information technology, and played a key role in the firm's investments in successful companies like Google and Amazon. He also served as chairman of the board at Hewlett-Packard from 2010 to 2013.

In addition to his work at Kleiner Perkins, Lane has served on the boards of several major companies, including AOL, Quest Software, and SeeBeyond. He has also been involved in philanthropic activities, including serving on the board of trustees for Carnegie Mellon University and Special Olympics International.

Despite his successful career, Lane has faced controversy. In 2012, he stepped down as chairman of Hewlett-Packard following a shareholder revolt over his role in the botched acquisition of British software company Autonomy. He was also involved in a high-profile tax evasion case related to investments in a tax shelter, which resulted in him paying $100 million in back taxes.

Despite these challenges, Lane's impact on the technology industry is undeniable. His leadership and strategic vision have helped shape several major companies and driven the growth of the sector as a whole. His career serves as a testament to the transformative power of technology and the importance of strong leadership in driving innovation and growth.

🎙️