# Doug Carlston > American chief executive **Wikidata**: [Q3714587](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3714587) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Carlston) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/doug-carlston ## Summary Doug Carlston is an American chief executive, entrepreneur, and lawyer. He is best known for his leadership roles at Broderbund, an American software company, where he served as chief executive officer and chairman of the executive board. ## Biography * Born: April 30, 1947, in Boston * Nationality: United States * Education: Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College (1970), Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School (1975), studied economics at Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. * Known for: Leading Broderbund as CEO and Chairman. * Employer(s): Broderbund, DallasNews Corporation. * Field(s): Software, video game industry, law, business. ## Contributions Doug Carlston played a pivotal role in the American software and video game industry through his leadership at Broderbund. He served as the chief executive officer of Broderbund from 1989 until October 3, 1996, and as chairman of the executive board from 1989 until August 30, 1998. Broderbund, founded in 1980, was an American software company operating in the video game industry. Before his executive roles, Carlston was also a programmer, starting in 1966. His tenure as CEO and Chairman oversaw a significant period for the company, contributing to its presence in the software market. He also served as a board of directors member for DallasNews Corporation from July 2007 to November 2010. ## FAQs ### Q: What company did Doug Carlston lead? A: Doug Carlston led Broderbund, an American software company. He served as its chief executive officer from 1989 to 1996 and as chairman of the executive board from 1989 to 1998. ### Q: What was Doug Carlston's educational background? A: Doug Carlston earned a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College in 1970 and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1975. He also studied economics at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. ### Q: What were Doug Carlston's occupations? A: Doug Carlston's occupations included entrepreneur, engineer, businessperson, lawyer, author, and programmer. He began working as a programmer in 1966. ### Q: Where was Doug Carlston born? A: Doug Carlston was born on April 30, 1947, in Boston. ### Q: Is Doug Carlston married? A: Yes, Doug Carlston is married to Tomi Pierce, and they have two children. ## Why They Matter Doug Carlston matters due to his significant leadership in the early American software and video game industry. As the chief executive officer and chairman of the executive board of Broderbund for nearly a decade (1989-1996 as CEO, 1989-1998 as Chairman), he steered a prominent company during a formative period for personal computing and interactive entertainment. His background as a programmer, starting in 1966, combined with his legal and business acumen, provided a unique foundation for navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Broderbund, under his guidance, contributed to the development and distribution of software that shaped consumer experiences. His influence extended beyond just business operations, impacting the trajectory of a key player in the video game industry. ## Notable For * Chief Executive Officer of Broderbund (1989-1996) * Chairman of the Executive Board of Broderbund (1989-1998) * Early programmer, beginning in 1966 * Holding a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School * Serving on the board of directors for DallasNews Corporation ## Body ### Personal Details and Early Life Doug Carlston was born on April 30, 1947, in Boston. He is a citizen of the United States and resides in San Rafael. He is married to Tomi Pierce, and they have two children. Carlston is a member of the Democratic Party. He is known to speak English and Swahili. ### Education Carlston pursued a comprehensive education: * **Harvard College**: He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, completing his studies in 1970. * **Harvard Law School**: He obtained a Juris Doctor degree in 1975. * **Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies**: He studied economics at this institution. ### Career and Occupations Doug Carlston has held a diverse range of occupations throughout his career: * **Programmer**: He began his career as a programmer in 1966. * **Lawyer**: Following his legal education, he worked as a lawyer. * **Entrepreneur**: He is identified as an entrepreneur. * **Engineer**: He is also recognized as an engineer. * **Businessperson**: His roles include that of a businessperson. * **Author**: Carlston is also an author. ### Leadership Roles Carlston is primarily known for his leadership at Broderbund, an American software company operating in the video game industry, which was founded in 1980. * **Chief Executive Officer (Broderbund)**: He served as CEO from 1989 until October 3, 1996. * **Chairman of the Executive Board (Broderbund)**: He held this position from 1989 until August 30, 1998. * **Board of Directors Member (DallasNews Corporation)**: He was a member of the board of directors for DallasNews Corporation from July 2007 to November 10, 2010. ## References 1. NNDB 2. Library of Congress Name Authority File 3. [Source](https://www.facebook.com/notes/jordan-mechner/in-memoriam-tomi-pierce/284808731294/) 4. [Douglas Carlston. Computer History Museum](https://computerhistory.org/profile/douglas-carlston/) 5. Thomson Reuters Open Perm ID 6. [San Francisco Chronicle](https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Broderbund-Software-Names-New-CEO-Maker-of-Myst-2964072.php) 7. [Source](https://investor.ahbelo.com/news-releases/news-release-details/newspaper-publisher-h-belo-corporation-announces-resignation) 8. [Broderbund Software, Inc.. Encyclopedia.com](https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/broderbund-software-inc) 9. CiNii 10. Goodreads 11. Open Library 12. MobyGames 13. Virtual International Authority File 14. CiNii Research 15. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Doug_Carlston-8A58AW)