News

7 June 2010

 

GigOptix appoints independent director

GigOptix Inc of Palo Alto, CA, USA, which designs modulator and laser drivers and transimpedance amplifier (TIA) ICs based on III-V materials as well as polymer electro-optic modulators, has appointed Frank W. Schneider to its Board of Directors to replace Dr Joseph J. Vallner, who is retiring.

Schneider will serve as an independent director and member of the Audit and Compensation Committees. He has over 40 years experience in the electronics and semiconductor industries, serving on boards and executive management teams. Schneider is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Micrel Inc.

Recently, Schneider retired from MKS Instruments Inc, where he served as vice president and general manager. Previously, he served as president and CEO at both ION Systems Inc, a privately held manufacturer of electrostatic management systems, and GHz Technology Inc, a privately held manufacturer of RF power transistors that was merged into Advanced Power Technology Inc, where he served as COO of the RF products group. Additionally, he was a member of the technical advisory board of Neomagic Inc, a display controller chip company, and was a member of the Board of Directors of GMT Microelectronics Inc. Schneider began his career at Corning Electronics and subsequently moved to Philips Semiconductor, then known as Signetics Corporation, where he held many senior positions.

Schneider received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from West Virginia University and an MBA degree from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. He has also completed executive post graduate programs at Stanford University and the Wharton School of Business.

"In addition to strengthening our Board with his extensive industry knowledge and executive management experience, Mr. Schneider brings a unique international perspective to GigOptix, having resided in Japan for five years. With Mr. Schneider's appointment, we now have a board comprised of four independent directors whose diverse experience and exceptional strategic counsel will be key factors in the achievement of our goals and vision going forward," said Dr Avi Katz, chairman of the Board, president and CEO of GigOptix.

See related item:

GigOptix reports record revenue of $5.3m in Q1

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