Don McMillan

Biography

Don McMillan graduated from Stanford University with a Master`s Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1982. (He has a BSEE from Lehigh University) He went to work for AT&T Bell Laboratories where he worked as part of the team that designed the world`s first 32-bit Microprocessor. He then moved to the Silicon Valley (San Jose, California) where he worked at VLSI Technology as a computer chip designer. During his 6 years at VLSI he designed more than 50 Standard and ASIC Designs many of which are still out there today.

After winning the 16th Annual San Francisco International Stand-Up Comedy Competition in 1991, Don turned in his chips for a microphone. He went on to be $100,000 Grand Champion on "Star Search" in 1993. He`s had numerous television appearances including "The Tonight Show" on NBC, CNN`s "The Larry King Show", MTV`s "Half Hour Comedy Hour", and A&E`s "Evening at the Improv". Nowadays, you can catch Don headlining comedy clubs from the "Improvisation" to "Catch-A-Rising Star" across the country.

You most likely have seen Don as the star of fifteen national commercials for Budweiser Beer. He plays the Bud delivery guy who mans the "freshness hotline" and protects the world against "skunky" beer. He can also be seen in commercials for 7-11, Franco-American Ravioli, Little Caesar`s Pizza, ServiStar Hardware, and United Airlines.

Don has not lost contact with his high-tech roots. He has performed over 300 shows for major corporations around the United States including IBM, Apple, Google, and Genetech. Don`s corporate show utilizes his unique background to take a lighthearted look at computers, technology, and the high-tech life. His PowerPoint slides are like none you`ve ever seen. He is the only comedian that references "Avogadro`s Number", "XML", and he Beta tests all his jokes.

In October 2009, Don was named the #1 Corporate comedian by CBS BNET!

Titles

"PowerPoint Driven Comedy Show": Don can perform after dinner, at lunch, to start the day, or anywhere in between to break up a long day of speakers and re-invigorate your audience. Don`s show is written specifically for your audience. He works with each group and develops a unique comedy show for your company, group, or event. Don`s show will entertain, motivate, invigorate, relieve stress, and enlighten corporate groups.

"Doses of Don": Don can break his show into a number of shorter segments spread throughout the day. Recently, Don did 10 minutes to open an event, 10 minutes after the morning break, 10 minutes after lunch. 10 minutes following the afternoon break, and 15 minutes to close the day`s session. This works to energize the audience and give them a break from a long day of information-intense speakers.

"Fake Expert": Don will "pretend" to be an author and/or consultant giving a serious talk on "Improving Communication Skills", "The 3 Keys to Leadership", "The Future of Technology", or a topic that you and he develop just for your event. Don starts out serious and slowly gets funnier and funnier - but always with a focus on his "serious" topic. After some time, he lets the group know that he is NOT a serious speaker but just there to entertain and/or provide a change of pace, a shot of energy, or just a break.

"Host a talk show or panel discussion": Don can interview your executives or key management folks. This is particularly effective when you`re tired of hearing a long parade of executive speeches. For example, Don recently did "Good Morning Beckman Coulter!" where he did an opening monologue and then interviewed 5 different VP`s who included their messaging in a lighter, more entertaining format.

"Event Host or Emcee": Don can function as your event host or emcee. He can interject comedy where appropriate and keep the sessions moving along. Don is excellent at reading a crowd, so he can adjust his performance to speed up a session or add comedy when the group is sagging and in need of a refreshing "comedy break". Also, because of his technical background, he actually understands your subject matter - he`s not just reading a canned introduction like a spokes-model.

"Custom Video Segments": Don can help write and create video segments for your event. Don has acted as the interviewer in "Man on the Street" style video segments with event attendees many times. The clip to the left is Don as the roving floor reporter at the SUN Network conference. He has also created funny videos and sketches with company executives and managers.

"Create New Ideas": Don has worked with groups to develop, create and perform many brand new comedy bits. The clip to the left shows "Doctor Don" a "PowerPoint Therapist" for Webex. He has also "pretended" to be the new VP of Sales. Don has hosted an "American Idol" type show during a sales conference and he`s even rode in on a horse dressed as a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman to give a parking ticket to a CEO in Toronto. Don will go a long way to make you laugh.