POET appoints Two New Directors
POET Technologies - developer of the technology platform for monolithic fabrication of chips containing both electronic and optical elements - has announced the appointment of two new directors. One of these is to fill the vacancy left after Adam Chowaniec resigned due to illness leading to his death.
Peter Copetti, Executive Co-Chairman and Interim CEO, said: "Adam's loss left a very deep gap to fill, however, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has been engaged in an extensive search to find suitable candidates to fill the role of permanent CEO and supporting executive staff and directors."
John O'Donnell, the Chairman of the CGNC, added: "The search has provided a short list of extremely capable and impressive candidates." Final decisions are not expected to be made until May with respect to the top executive roles, however the process has produced, to date, two very exceptional new directors with the semiconductor industry experience and relationships to help propel the company through its lab-to-fab transition.
Subject to regulatory approvals, the board has approved the following appointments:
Todd A. DeBonis is a veteran semiconductor executive with over 27 years of expertise in sales, marketing and corporate development. For the last decade, Mr. DeBonis was the Vice President of Global Sales and Strategic Development at TriQuint Semiconductor. During his tenure TriQuint experienced dramatic growth and recognition in the industry as the technology leader in RF solutions. DeBonis played an integral part in the recent merger with RFMD and subsequent creation of Qorvo, Inc.
DeBonis previously held the position of Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing at Centillium Communications. DeBonis also served as the Vice President, Worldwide Sales for Ishoni Networks and Vice President, Sales & Marketing for the Communications Division of Infineon Technologies North America. DeBonis has a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nevada.
David E. Lazovsky is the founder of Intermolecular and served as the company's President and CEO and as a member of the board of directors from September 2004 to October 2014. Lazovsky has an in depth knowledge of the semiconductor industry, technology and markets. Lazovsky raised significant amounts of venture capital and other strategic private investments in Intermolecular's initial public offering.
Prior to founding Intermolecular, Lazovsky held several senior management positions at Applied Materials. From 1996 through August 2004, Lazovsky held management positions in the Metal Deposition and Thin Films Product Business Group where he was responsible for managing more than $1 billion in Applied Materials' semiconductor manufacturing equipment business. From 2003 until 2004, Lazovsky managed key strategic accounts in Business Management where he worked closely with leading integrated circuit manufacturers to ensure Applied Materials was developing and providing cutting_edge technology solutions.
From 2002 until 2003, Lazovsky served as the Technology Program Manager for the Endura 2 Platform, Applied Materials' flagship 300mm metal deposition platform. From 2000 until 2002, Lazovsky was based in Grenoble, France and served as Director of Business Management for the European region in the Metal Deposition Product Business Group. Previously, Lazovsky served as a Business Manager from 1997 to 2000, Account Product Manager from 1995 to 1997.
Lazovsky holds a BSc in mechanical engineering from Ohio University and, as of March 31, 2014, held 41 pending or issued US patents.
Lazovsky and DeBonis are residents and industry players in the Silicon Valley.
