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Patrick Byrne, CEO, Overstock.com
The Internet changes retailing and no one knows more about that than Patrick Byrne. Patrick founded Overstock.com Inc. in 1999 when he recognized the potential of liquidating excess inventory through the Internet. The company has grown from $1.8 million in sales in 1999 to $760.2 million in 2007. It has been publicly traded since 2002.
In 2001, Patrick began Worldstock.com, Overstock.com's socially responsible marketplace for products handcrafted by artisans from developing nations and underprivileged artisans in the US. Before founding Overstock.com, Patrick was chairman, president & CEO of Centricut LLC, manufacturer of industrial torch consumables, then held the same positions at Fechheimer Brothers Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company and manufacturer of police, firefighter, and military uniforms.
Patrick believes in education and has founded 19 schools internationally. He holds a black belt in tae kwon do and once pursued a career in professional boxing. He has cycled across the country four times.
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