High-Tech Executive Quits Post to Pursue UFO Passion
A Silicon Valley executive who has propelled several high-tech companies to starry heights is quitting the business to pursue his own planetary passion: extraterrestrial beings.
“There is a bigger picture out there than just tomorrow’s stock price,” Joe Firmage says. “I’ve had explicit confirmation that the UFO phenomenon is in fact occurring, and I’d like to be a part of this fundamental revolution in our society.”
Firmage, 28, said he decided to quit as CEO and chief strategist at the Internet consulting firm USWeb/CKS Corp., to save the company from “public relations complications” as he pursues his investigations.
It’s a big step for this Silicon Valley wonder boy, who began his high-tech life at 17 by founding Serius Corp. The company, selling object-based programming tools for personal computer developers, was acquired by Novell in 1993 for an estimated $24 million. Firmage was acquired as well, becoming Novell’s vice president of strategic planning.
He left Novell and co-founded USWeb in 1995 with several other Novell executives, and last month the company merged with CKS Group Inc. to form a company with $260 million in annualized revenues.
“I’ve done a lot in my life,” Firmage said. “I have a lot to be thankful for and proud of. I also have shown that I’m rational and levelheaded.”
Firmage said his priorities shifted 15 months ago, after an encounter at his Los Gatos, Calif., home with a “remarkable being, clothed in brilliant white light.”
“I don’t call them aliens. I call them teachers,” he said.
Since that experience, Firmage has been investigating and publicizing what he says is the existence of UFO phenomena. So far, he says, the pursuit--which includes a book published on the Internet--has cost him $3 million and quite possibly his reputation as a savvy high-tech businessman.
In November, concerned that his beliefs could drag his company down, Firmage stepped down as CEO to be replaced by Robert Shaw, a 51-year-old former Oracle Corp. executive.
Firmage said he needed to break from USWeb/CKS, rather than potentially damage the company.
USWeb/CKS officials said they will miss Firmage and regretted the loss.
