News Article
RFMD forms Compound Semiconductor Group
The new entity extends RFMD's gallium nitride and arsenide expertise into high-growth non-RF markets.
RFMD's Compound Semiconductor Group will create innovative new high-power and high-performance products utilising the Company's GaN and GaAs process technologies.
The Compound Semiconductor Group will encompass RFMD's Power Electronics product line as well as RFMD's Foundry Services business unit. CSG will also include RFMD's New Technology Commercialisation Centre (NTCC), with responsibility for new technology incubation, including RFMD's cooperative research and development agreement with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) related to the commercialisation of GaAs-based concentrated photovoltaic cells (CPV).
Bob Van Buskirk, currently president of RFMD's Multi-Market Products Group, will lead RFMD's Compound Semiconductor Group. Van Buskirk was previously chief executive officer and president of Sirenza Microdevices, which was acquired by RFMD in November, 2007. Prior to Sirenza Microdevices, Van Buskirk held multiple senior level positions at Northrop Grumman (formerly TRW), including responsibility for commercialising their GaAs compound semiconductor technology and leading the development and growth of their compound semiconductor foundry business.
Norm Hilgendorf, currently vice president of Corporate Development at RFMD, will become corporate vice president and president of RFMD's Multi-Market Products Group Hilgendorf joined RFMD in November, 2007, from Sirenza Microdevices, where he served most recently as chief operating officer. Hilgendorf has many years of senior management experience, including sales and general management, in multi-market organisations and in the wide range of end markets served by MPG.
Bob Bruggeworth, president and CEO of RFMD, said, "Bob Van Buskirk is the ideal individual to lead RFMD's Compound Semiconductor Group. Bob is a recognised industry veteran in compound semiconductor technologies and he has consistently led his organisations to outstanding growth. Similarly, Norm Hilgendorf will hit the ground running, given his exceptional operational background and organiszation."
Bruggeworth continued, "The formation of RFMD's Compound Semiconductor Group adds an incremental layer of new opportunities to energise our future growth without materially impacting operating expenses. In our advanced technology organisations we have been exploring strategic opportunities to exploit our world-class compound semiconductor expertise, and, with the formation of CSG, we have in place the leadership and organisation to capture incremental, profitable revenue in high-growth non-RF markets."
