Honour for co-founders

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars have honoured National Instruments cofounders, Dr. James Truchard and Jeff Kodosky, with the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship at a reception in Austin (TX US). According to the Woodrow Wilson Award Center, this award recognizes executives who, in their business practices and personal actions, show a deep concern for the common good beyond the bottom line.

Dr. James Truchard and Jeff Kodosky

Dr. James Truchard and Jeff Kodosky cofounded National Instruments in 1976, establishing themselves as visionary leaders and technology pioneers. Together, along with cofounder Bill Nowlin, they created NI out of a three-person garage office and have developed it into one of the world’s most progressive multinational companies.

Today, NI equips engineers and scientists with tools that accelerate innovation and discovery, helping its customers address the most pressing issues the world faces. The company’s corporate responsibility efforts advance this mission by providing access to technology for engineers who face extraordinary economic or other obstacles in achieving their goals and by partnering with education organizations to further the knowledge and love of engineering and science in the next generation.

Through its development of complete teaching solutions and collaboration with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), the LEGO® Group and universities worldwide, NI has engaged students with technology in a fun, hands-on learning environment, encouraging students to become future leaders in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Not only is NI hardware and software used as part of FIRST and LEGO robotics programs, hundreds of NI employees volunteer as mentors in classroom and after-school programs and competitions around the world.

National Instruments also is dedicated to delivering on sustainable business practices to ensure long-term company success and fostering a strong culture of innovation, discovery and fun for all employees. As NI president and CEO, Dr. Truchard has created a work environment that not only attracts top talent, but also creates quality jobs and a quality way of life for the members of the NI family. The company has recently been recognized as one of the top 25 multinational workplaces by the Great Place to Work Institute and FORTUNE magazine. Truchard is internationally regarded for his entrepreneurial spirit, technological foresight and steadfast leadership of the company.

NI Business and Technology Fellow Jeff Kodosky has also been instrumental in the growth of NI, designing and implementing one of the company’s preeminent platforms, NI LabVIEW system design software. LabVIEW has been integral in creating smarter, life-altering technologies that improve human life and the health of the planet and is central to robotics programs designed to enhance engineering education. LabVIEW was recognized by Electronic Design magazine as one of the “Top 50 Milestones for the Industry.”