Bringing everything together in preparation for the future is what keeps Paul Jacobs, group president of Qualcomm Wireless & Internet Group, interested in his job.

Jacobs, 39, can lay claim to Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless technology. He came up with the concept and the name. He also pioneered the technology that combined the cell phone and handheld computer.

He’s proudest of taking Qualcomm’s handset business from nothing to a $2 billion industry. In 1998, his efforts earned him the Time magazine award for best cell phone of the year. He is responsible for 27 issued and 11 pending U.S. patents on wireless technology and devices.

At La Jolla High School, Jacobs began his first business with longtime friend Jeff Belk, now the senior vice president of marketing for Qualcomm. The two operated JB Skateboard Enterprises, where they assembled and sold skateboards to friends. They used the profits to buy themselves the best skateboards. In high school, Jacobs thought he’d be a doctor. That lasted until he saw a film of an operation. “I can’t stand the sight of blood,” he says.

Summers, he worked for his father, Irwin Jacobs, which led to his interest in engineering. Jacobs received his doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. While in college, Jacobs met and began dating Stacy, the woman who would become his wife and mother of their three children.

Jacobs sees the success of his 11-year marriage as a personal accomplishment and puts his family first.

Also important is his community involvement. Jacobs serves on the boards of the Salk Institute, La Jolla Chamber Music Society and Museum of Contemporary Art of San Diego. He also is vice chair for the UCSD Jacobs School of Engineering and on the UC Berkeley Industrial Advisory Board.

These days, Jacobs’ spare time is spent chairing the annual San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art gala, where this year’s theme is “Austin Powers Gets Monte Carlo Mojo.” He and Stacy wanted to create something a little bit different for the Sept. 14 event and, he says, this should do it.

Awards are nothing new to Jacobs, who dismisses many as just industry awards. Awards that recognize his personal accomplishments he holds dear. “This award is important because I’m feeling bad about moving out of the realm where I’m eligible for these sorts of things,” he says of being a 40 Under Forty recipient and only a few months away from turning 40.

— Maria L. Kirkpatrick