Background
Birck, Michael John was born on January 25, 1938 in Missoula, Montana, United States. Son of Raymond Michael and Mildred (Johnson) Birck.
electrical engineer company executive
Birck, Michael John was born on January 25, 1938 in Missoula, Montana, United States. Son of Raymond Michael and Mildred (Johnson) Birck.
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Purdue University, 1960; Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (honorary), Purdue University, 1995; Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, New York University, 1962.
He served as the Chief Executive Officer of the company from 2002 to 2004. He received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree at Purdue University in 1960 and an Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from New York University in 1962. Birck began his career on the technical staff at American Telephone & Telegraph Company’s Bell Telephone Laboratories.
He went on to manage the Transmission System Design Department at Continental Telephone Laboratories.
He was director of engineering at Wescom Incorporated. from 1968 to 1975. Birck and five other electrical engineers and salesmen came up with the idea for Tellabs in 1975.
He was Chief Executive Officer of Tellabs from 2002 to 2004. Birck died on July 6, 2015 at the age of 77.
Birck came to the public"s attention in 1999 when the Chicago Bears football team appeared to be up for sale.
A radio show host on WSCR made the suggestion that Birck should buy the team Birck told the Chicago Sun-Times: "lieutenant was kind of amusing. Some guy on The Score said, "How about that Mike Birck guy? He ought to be able to buy the Bears."" Birck decided not to buy the team
Birck was pitcher at Purdue University.
He funded the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex, named after him by Purdue University, and donated $5 million to the renovation of the University’s Mackey Arena in 2008. Birck has also made contributions to Purdue University, Benedictine University, Loyola University, and Hinsdale Hospital, among others
Birck is past chairman of the Purdue Alumni Foundation Board and is a trustee of Purdue University. He has been a director at the Purdue Research Foundation and serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council of the Krannert School of Management.
Director Purdue Research Foundation, West Lafayette, since 1989. Member business advising committee to Republican Harris Fawell, Washington, since 1986. Trustee Benedictine University, since 1988.
Member president's county Purdue University, since 1984. Board directors Hinsdale Hospital,1995. Member Telecommunications Industry Association (chairman public relations 1989-1990, board of directors, vice-chairman 1984-1991, chairman 1991), Hinsdale Golf Club, Salt Creek Tennis Club (president 1986).
Married Katherine Royer, September 3, 1960. Children: Kevin, Joni Birck Stevenson, Christopher.