For most of his life, San Francisco-based businessman Kjell Qvale has maintained involvement in a wide range of industries, including automotive sales and manufacturing, finance, computer chips, and much more. Since his early days growing up in Seattle, Washington, Kjell Qvale has devoted much of his time and energy to entrepreneurial interests both large and small, and counts paper routes, a period as a sales representative for Hovde Skis, and working on an Alaskan fishing barge among his formative experiences. While an undergraduate at the University of Washington, Kjell Qvale imported Norwegian goods for resale in the U.S., in addition to his heavy schedule of athletics and schoolwork. Upon his return from the Pacific Theater of World War II in 1945, Kjell Qvale entered the world of automotive sales. Through Qvale Motors and later, British Motor Car Distributors, Ltd., Kjell Qvale became one of the first distributors on the West Coast for such major automakers as MG, Jaguar, and Volkswagen. Over the course of his 60-plus years as a dealer and distributor of vehicular imports from Europe and Japan, Kjell Qvale has brought luxury cars to numerous customers across the United States. At present, Kjell Qvale owns and operates British Motors in San Francisco, selling Bentley, Land Rover, Lotus, Lamborghini, Jaguar, and other fine automobiles. Kjell Qvale also sponsored a racing team that participated in the 1963, 1964, and 1965 Indianapolis 500, placing eighth in the latter. A lifelong athlete and sports enthusiast, Kjell Qvale cofounded the Women’s International Tennis Association and funded the first women’s professional tennis tournament. In addition, Kjell Qvale spent many years as Director and President of the Pacific Racing Association and was Chairman of the Board of the California Jockey Club. The owner of First National Bank of Marin, computer chip manufacturer Cirtec, Britannia jeans and sportswear, and more, Kjell Qvale has always strived to maintain a diverse slate of investments. In his free time, Kjell Qvale enjoys golf, and has played at numerous courses around the world.