Cerf, Vinton Gray "Vint"

Hard of hearing. Born at New Haven, CT, but grew up in Southern CA; progressive hearing loss through boyhood; graduated a regular high school. B.A. from Stanford University, then graduate study at UCLA. Became a computer programmer and consultant for the Department of Defense. Developed the computer networking protocol known as TCP/IP, which is the foundation of the Internet, and has continued to be a guiding force behind the development of the Internet. In 1980, moved to MCI (now MCI/WorldCom), rising to senior vice-president of Internet architecture and technology at that company. Left MCI/WorldCom in 2005 to go to work for Google. Served on the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees, 1997-2004. Married Sigrid Thorstenberg (q.v.) in 1966. Although she has received a cochlear implant and is happy with it, he has not.