GaN Systems appoints VP Operations
GaN Systems has announced the appointment of Stephen Coates as VP operations. The newly-created post is part of GaN Systems' planned increase in headcount at all levels as the company ramps up production of its GaN devices.
Coates will be responsible for implementing systems and procedures to handle the company's growth in shipments and production test data, and establishing a local supply chain management presence in the Far East.
He joins GaN Systems from DigiLens, where he was head of manufacturing. A technology executive with over 25 years' experience in engineering, manufacturing operations and supply chain management, Coates has previously held executive posts with Bourns and VP production engineering at MaxQ Technology heading up power module components and systems companies and power/HV semiconductor fabrication and packaging organisations, including VP operations at Virtuality/SBG Labs, at Symmorphix Thin Films Inc, and with Fultec Semiconductor Inc/development.
Welcoming Coates to the company, Girvan Patterson, president GaN Systems said: "We are delighted that Stephen is joining our senior management team as VP Operations. He brings with him substantial experience in establishing and developing strategic supply chain relationships to support full product commercialization and high volume manufacturing, while also being an expert in device packaging and integration."
Coates has an Honours degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Nottingham (Trent) University, where he also was engaged as a post graduate successfully implementing Manufacturing Excellence within the Hawker Siddeley Power Generation, Transmission and Switchgear Groups. He has several patents granted and pending.
