Patrick M. Byrne

Who is Patrick M. Byrne?

Patrick M. Byrne is an American entrepreneur, e-commerce pioneer, CEO and chairman of Overstock.com. In 1999, Byrne took control of the company, then called D2: Discounts Direct, and changed its name to Overstock. He had previously served shorter terms leading two smaller companies, including one owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.

In 2002, Byrne took Overstock.com public. Since the initial public offering, the company has since increased its revenue to over $1 billion a year, and achieved full profitability in 2009.

Beginning in 2005, Byrne become known for his campaign against the practice of naked short selling. Byrne says it has been used in violation of securities law to hurt the price of his and other companies' stock. Under his direction, Overstock.com has filed two lawsuits alleging improper acts by Wall Street firms, a hedge fund, and an independent research firm.