Top 25 High Tech Leaders in Dallas: Kari-Pekka "K-P" Wilska, The

Kari-Pekka "K-P" Wilska President, Nokia (Americas)

When you're the world's biggest mobile phone supplier, you don't let a little thing like economic uncertainty slow you down. Nokia (Americas), whose handsets are widely heralded for their stylish innovation, is on track to improve its market share to 40 percent from 32 percent last year. "If your plans, products, and logistic network are in good shape, the economy really doesn't change anything," says Kari -Pekka "K-P" Wilska, president, adding that his focus is long term. "If you're trained for a 100-meter dash, you don't want to run the marathon."

Wilska, who joined Nokia in 1973, is credited with the company's steady rise in the wireless world. Even in the face of a cooling economy, he led the company to $7.2 billion revenue in 2001's first quarter, compared to $5.9 billion in 2000's first quarter.

Nokia (Americas), which has more than 5,000 North Texas employees, shifted some of its manufacturing from two Fort Worth facilities to Korea and Mexico earlier this year, resulting in layoffs of about 800 full-time employees. But that's no indication of waning affection for the area, Wilska in sists. "Dallas plays an important role in our company," he says. "North Texas is the right place to locate manufacturing. There are lots of high-tech industries, good schools, and good people available for hire."

Copyright D Magazine Jul 01, 2001
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