Thomas Siebel
Encyclopedia
Thomas Siebel is a business executive. He is the chairman of First Virtual Group, a diversified
holding company
with interests in commercial real estate, agribusiness
, global investment management
, and philanthropy
.
, where he received a B.A.
in history, an M.B.A., and a M.S.
in computer science.
From 1984 through 1990, Siebel was an executive at Oracle Corporation
, where he held a number of management positions. Siebel served as chief executive officer of Gain Technology, a multimedia software company that merged with Sybase
in December 1992. Siebel was the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer
of Siebel Systems
, which was acquired by Oracle in January 2006. Siebel is the chairman of First Virtual Group, a diversified
holding company
.
Siebel has been a frequent industry spokesperson. His books include: Cyber Rules (1999), and Taking Care of eBusiness (2001) published by Doubleday, and Virtual Selling (2002), published by the Free Press.
College of Engineering, the University of Illinois
College of Engineering, and the University of California at Berkeley College of Engineering, and is a member of the Princeton University Board of Trustees. He is a Director of the University of Illinois Foundation and the Hoover Institution
at Stanford University
, and is the Chairman of the Board for the American Agora Foundation. He is the Founder and Chairman of the Meth Project and the Siebel Scholars
Foundation. He was ranked #5 and #3 of the world's top 25 philanthropists by Barron's Magazine
in 2009 and 2010, respectively. In 2007 and 2008, he was named one of The 50 Most Generous Philanthropists by BusinessWeek
.
Siebel received the David Packard Award for his achievements as a technology entrepreneur and his contributions to national security from the Business Executives for National Security
in 2002 and was
named one of the Top 25 Managers in the World by BusinessWeek
in 2000 and 2001.
In 1999, 2000, and 2001, Fortune magazine recognized Siebel Systems as the fastest, third fastest, and second fastest growing company in the United States, respectively. Call Center Magazine inducted him to its Hall of Fame in 2000 in recognition for contributions to the business and technology of customer service.
In 2001, Siebel donated $32 million to his alma mater, the Department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
, to build the Siebel Center for Computer Science, opened in spring 2004. In 2006, Siebel donated $4 million to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to establish two endowed full professorships. The Thomas M. Siebel Chair in the History of Science is now held by Lillian Hoddeson; a faculty search for the Thomas M. Siebel Chair in Computer Science is still ongoing. Siebel pledged an additional $100 million gift to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2007.
Siebel continues to develop philanthropic initiatives.
The plan included funding to build the top ten entries at $250,000 each, a $10 million first prize, and then a total of 100 such homes to be built and sold to the public.
Beginning in 2009, Tom Siebel made many presentations about his Energy Free Home Challenge. The Siebel Foundation Report stated that the Energy Free Home Challenge was "Launching in late 2009".
Berkley National Laboratory (University of California, Berkley) participated in writing the "Feasibility of Achieving Zero-Net-Energy, Zero-Net-Cost Homes" for the $20-million Energy Free Home Challenge.
Although the energyfreehome.org website is still defined, everything about the $20-million Challenge has been deleted without explanation.
If implemented, the Energy Free Home Challenge would have provided much-needed increased incentives for improved technology and consumer education about zero energy building
at the same cost as conventional housing.
to the crowd at a California fund-raising brunch with the quote "Sarah Palin carries the flag of outrage ... for each of us who cries out, 'We're mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore.'" He remained an active organizer up until the elections. Siebel organized a Republican fundraising Gala in honor of Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, where the asking price for a snapshot with her and a seat at the head table was $50,000. A $2,500 donation was to come with a John McCain lapel pin. Local activists called for protest of the event. However, the event was rescheduled, then canceled altogether.
resident, Siebel owns and operates the Dearborn Ranch in Wolf Creek, Montana, and the N Bar Ranch in Grass Range, Montana
, both working cattle ranches. Siebel's time in Montana has lasted 35 years.
, observing a group of elephants from 200 yards away, when an elephant charged Siebel's guide and then turned on Siebel. Siebel suffered several injuries: his left leg was impaled, his right was crushed, and his ribs were broken. Siebel is in the process of making a full recovery.
Diversification
Diversification may refer to:* Diversification involves spreading investments* Diversification is a corporate strategy to increase market penetration...
holding company
Holding company
A holding company is a company or firm that owns other companies' outstanding stock. It usually refers to a company which does not produce goods or services itself; rather, its purpose is to own shares of other companies. Holding companies allow the reduction of risk for the owners and can allow...
with interests in commercial real estate, agribusiness
Agribusiness
In agriculture, agribusiness is a generic term for the various businesses involved in food production, including farming and contract farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution, processing, marketing, and retail sales....
, global investment management
Investment management
Investment management is the professional management of various securities and assets in order to meet specified investment goals for the benefit of the investors...
, and philanthropy
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
.
Education and Work
Siebel is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, where he received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in history, an M.B.A., and a M.S.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in computer science.
From 1984 through 1990, Siebel was an executive at Oracle Corporation
Oracle Corporation
Oracle Corporation is an American multinational computer technology corporation that specializes in developing and marketing hardware systems and enterprise software products – particularly database management systems...
, where he held a number of management positions. Siebel served as chief executive officer of Gain Technology, a multimedia software company that merged with Sybase
Sybase
Sybase, an SAP company, is an enterprise software and services company offering software to manage, analyze, and mobilize information, using relational databases, analytics and data warehousing solutions and mobile applications development platforms....
in December 1992. Siebel was the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of Siebel Systems
Siebel Systems
Siebel CRM Systems, Inc. was a software company principally engaged in the design, development, marketing, and support of customer relationship management applications. The company was founded by Thomas Siebel in 1993. At first known mainly for its sales force automation products, the company...
, which was acquired by Oracle in January 2006. Siebel is the chairman of First Virtual Group, a diversified
Diversification
Diversification may refer to:* Diversification involves spreading investments* Diversification is a corporate strategy to increase market penetration...
holding company
Holding company
A holding company is a company or firm that owns other companies' outstanding stock. It usually refers to a company which does not produce goods or services itself; rather, its purpose is to own shares of other companies. Holding companies allow the reduction of risk for the owners and can allow...
.
Siebel has been a frequent industry spokesperson. His books include: Cyber Rules (1999), and Taking Care of eBusiness (2001) published by Doubleday, and Virtual Selling (2002), published by the Free Press.
Honors and awards
Siebel serves on the Board of Advisors of the Stanford UniversityStanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
College of Engineering, the University of Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
College of Engineering, and the University of California at Berkeley College of Engineering, and is a member of the Princeton University Board of Trustees. He is a Director of the University of Illinois Foundation and the Hoover Institution
Hoover Institution
The Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace is a public policy think tank and library founded in 1919 by then future U.S. president, Herbert Hoover, an early alumnus of Stanford....
at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, and is the Chairman of the Board for the American Agora Foundation. He is the Founder and Chairman of the Meth Project and the Siebel Scholars
Siebel Scholars
The program was established by the in 2000 to recognize the most talented students at the world’s leading graduate schools of business, computer science, and bioengineering...
Foundation. He was ranked #5 and #3 of the world's top 25 philanthropists by Barron's Magazine
Barron's Magazine
Barron's is an American weekly newspaper covering U.S. financial information, market developments, and relevant statistics. Each issue provides a wrap-up of the previous week's market activity, news reports, and an informative outlook on the week to come....
in 2009 and 2010, respectively. In 2007 and 2008, he was named one of The 50 Most Generous Philanthropists by BusinessWeek
BusinessWeek
Bloomberg Businessweek, commonly and formerly known as BusinessWeek, is a weekly business magazine published by Bloomberg L.P. It is currently headquartered in New York City.- History :...
.
Siebel received the David Packard Award for his achievements as a technology entrepreneur and his contributions to national security from the Business Executives for National Security
Business Executives for National Security
Business Executives for National Security is an American 501 non-profit organization. It was founded in 1982 by former mining executive Stanley A...
in 2002 and was
named one of the Top 25 Managers in the World by BusinessWeek
BusinessWeek
Bloomberg Businessweek, commonly and formerly known as BusinessWeek, is a weekly business magazine published by Bloomberg L.P. It is currently headquartered in New York City.- History :...
in 2000 and 2001.
In 1999, 2000, and 2001, Fortune magazine recognized Siebel Systems as the fastest, third fastest, and second fastest growing company in the United States, respectively. Call Center Magazine inducted him to its Hall of Fame in 2000 in recognition for contributions to the business and technology of customer service.
- Top 10 CEOs - Investor’s Business Daily, 2000
- University of Illinois Presidential Award and Medallion, 2001
- One of Top 25 Managers in Global Business – BusinessWeek, 1999 to 2001
- CEO of the Year – Industry Week, 2002
- David Packard Award – Business Executives for National Security, 2002
- Thomas M. Siebel, Master Entrepreneur of the Year – Ernst & Young, 2003
- The 50 Most Generous Philanthropists – BusinessWeek, 2007, 2008
- Lincoln Academy Laureate – The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, 2008
- Engineering at Illinois Hall of Fame, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010
- Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship – The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution, 2010
- Ranked #5 of the World's Top 25 Philanthropists – Barron's, 2009
- Ranked #3 of the World's Top 25 Philanthropists – Barron's, 2010
Philanthropy
The Siebel Foundation (founded 1996) is active in support of the homeless and underprivileged, educational and research programs, methamphetamine abuse prevention, and alternative energy solutions. The Siebel Foundation created the Siebel Scholars Foundation, the Dearborn Scholars Fund in Montana, and the Meth Project Foundation.In 2001, Siebel donated $32 million to his alma mater, the Department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, to build the Siebel Center for Computer Science, opened in spring 2004. In 2006, Siebel donated $4 million to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to establish two endowed full professorships. The Thomas M. Siebel Chair in the History of Science is now held by Lillian Hoddeson; a faculty search for the Thomas M. Siebel Chair in Computer Science is still ongoing. Siebel pledged an additional $100 million gift to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2007.
Siebel continues to develop philanthropic initiatives.
Energy Free Home Challenge
In 2007, the philanthropic Siebel Foundation created the Energy Free Home Foundation. The goal was to offer $20 million in global incentive prizes to design and build a 2,000 square foot (186 square meter) three-bedroom, two bathroom home with (1) net-zero annual utility bills that also has (2) high market appeal, and (3) costs no more than a conventional home to construct.The plan included funding to build the top ten entries at $250,000 each, a $10 million first prize, and then a total of 100 such homes to be built and sold to the public.
Beginning in 2009, Tom Siebel made many presentations about his Energy Free Home Challenge. The Siebel Foundation Report stated that the Energy Free Home Challenge was "Launching in late 2009".
Berkley National Laboratory (University of California, Berkley) participated in writing the "Feasibility of Achieving Zero-Net-Energy, Zero-Net-Cost Homes" for the $20-million Energy Free Home Challenge.
Although the energyfreehome.org website is still defined, everything about the $20-million Challenge has been deleted without explanation.
If implemented, the Energy Free Home Challenge would have provided much-needed increased incentives for improved technology and consumer education about zero energy building
Zero energy building
A zero-energy building, also known as a zero net energy building, Net-Zero Energy Building , or Net Zero Building, is a popular term to describe a building with zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions annually. Zero energy buildings can be independent from the energy grid supply...
at the same cost as conventional housing.
2008 Republican presidential campaign
In the 2008 United States presidential election campaign, Siebel provided backing to the Republican ticket. It was Siebel who introduced Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah PalinSarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
to the crowd at a California fund-raising brunch with the quote "Sarah Palin carries the flag of outrage ... for each of us who cries out, 'We're mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore.'" He remained an active organizer up until the elections. Siebel organized a Republican fundraising Gala in honor of Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, where the asking price for a snapshot with her and a seat at the head table was $50,000. A $2,500 donation was to come with a John McCain lapel pin. Local activists called for protest of the event. However, the event was rescheduled, then canceled altogether.
Personal life
A part-time MontanaMontana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
resident, Siebel owns and operates the Dearborn Ranch in Wolf Creek, Montana, and the N Bar Ranch in Grass Range, Montana
Grass Range, Montana
Grass Range is a town in Fergus County, Montana, United States. The population was 149 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Grass Range is located at ....
, both working cattle ranches. Siebel's time in Montana has lasted 35 years.
Elephant incident
Siebel said that on the morning of August 1, 2009, he and a guide were in TanzaniaTanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, observing a group of elephants from 200 yards away, when an elephant charged Siebel's guide and then turned on Siebel. Siebel suffered several injuries: his left leg was impaled, his right was crushed, and his ribs were broken. Siebel is in the process of making a full recovery.
Books
- Taking Care of eBusiness (2001) ISBN 0-385-50227-3
- Cyber Rules (with Pat House) (2001) ISBN 84-7577-804-6
- Virtual Selling (with Michael Malone) (2002) ISBN 0-7432-3649-1
Sources
- Silicon Valley Republicans to welcome Palin to tech giant's Woodside fundraiser: While California Republicans aren't counting on carrying California in November, they are seizing the GOP VP candidate's sudden stardom to raise cash in the state. Mary Anne Ostrom, Mercury News, September 6, 2008
- Woodside fundraiser for Palin popular, but Democratic women in Silicon Valley skeptical about the Palin effect, Mary Anne Ostrom and Linda Goldston, Mercury News, September 12, 2008
- Palin cancels stop in California, Mary Anne Ostrom, Mercury News, September 18, 2008
- Breaking bread with Sarah Palin, Leah Garchik, San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco Chroniclethumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
, September 18, 2008
External links
- Catalytic Philanthropy – Stanford Social Innovation Review, Fall 2009
- The Mercury News Interview: Tom Siebel, chairman of First Virtual Group and the Siebel Foundation., Brandon Bailey, Mercury News, 06/19/2009
- Tom Siebel: The Energy Free Home Challenge, ForbesForbesForbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
, June 2009 - Success Stories » The Siebel Foundation: strategic focus achieves groundbreaking results, Smartlink, December 2008
- Back to the Garage: How Economic Turmoil Breeds Innovation, Wired (magazine)Wired (magazine)Wired is a full-color monthly American magazine and on-line periodical, published since January 1993, that reports on how new and developing technology affects culture, the economy, and politics...
, December 2008 - The Anti Drug Lord, Good Magazine, June 2008