Thursday, November 14, 2013: The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, today announced that Mike Splinter, former CEO and current executive chairman of the board of directors at Applied Materials, has been named the 2013 recipient of SIA’s highest honor, the Robert N. Noyce Award. SIA presents the Noyce Award annually in recognition of a leader who has made significant contributions to the U.S. semiconductor industry in technology or public policy.
“From the age of 18 when he built his first transistor, Mike Splinter has developed his passion for technology into a distinguished career as a determined leader and tireless advocate for the U.S. semiconductor industry,” said Ajit Manocha, 2013 chairman of the SIA board of directors. “Mike’s vision and leadership have helped advance some our industry’s most important initiatives – such as STEM education, semiconductor research, and others – that have strengthened the semiconductor sector and our economy. On behalf of the SIA board of directors, it is a pleasure to honor Mike with SIA’s Robert N. Noyce Award in recognition of his tremendous accomplishments.”
Splinter is a 40-year veteran of the semiconductor industry. He was named president and CEO of Applied Materials and a member of its board of directors in 2003, and became chairman of the board in 2009. With a portfolio of more than 10,000 patents, Applied is a key supplier of technologies that help customers build the advanced microchips and displays essential to today’s top-selling electronic devices. Before joining Applied, Splinter was a senior executive at Intel Corporation, leading both the Technology and Manufacturing Group and the sales and marketing organization during his 20-year tenure.
Splinter is a strong advocate for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. He serves on a number of national and international public policy bodies, and supports local community education and other philanthropic initiatives in his leadership role with the Applied Materials Foundation. Under his direction, Applied has remained a standard bearer for corporate social responsibility, regularly ranking among the most philanthropic corporations headquartered in Silicon Valley.
Splinter began his career at Rockwell International where he managed the company’s Semiconductor Fabrication Operations. He earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Wisconsin.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award and join a celebrated group of innovators whose accomplishments shaped the semiconductor industry,” said Splinter. “Semiconductor technology has had a transformative impact on almost every form of human activity. As the world goes mobile, the pace of innovation continues to accelerate and the opportunities for our industry have never been greater.”
The Noyce Award is named in honor of semiconductor industry pioneer Robert N. Noyce, co-founder of Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel.
