Brian Krzanich

Brian Krzanich is an American business executive best known for serving as the sixth chief executive officer of Intel Corporation from 2013 to 2018. His tenure was marked by significant strategic shifts, including a major push into foundry services and the acquisition of Mobileye, but was ultimately cut short by controversy. Prior to his role as CEO, he spent over three decades at the semiconductor giant, holding numerous leadership positions in manufacturing and operations.

Early life and education

Born in Santa Clara, California, the heart of Silicon Valley, Krzanich developed an early interest in technology and engineering. He attended San Jose State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1982. His academic background in the hard sciences provided a foundational understanding of the material processes critical to semiconductor device fabrication.

Career at Intel

Krzanich joined Intel immediately after graduation in 1982, beginning his career on the manufacturing floor. He held a series of progressively senior roles within the company's vast integrated circuit fabrication network, including plant manager for the Fab 17 facility. His expertise in semiconductor manufacturing and supply chain management led to his appointment as vice president and general manager of assembly and test in 2003. Krzanich later oversaw the corporation's worldwide manufacturing as senior vice president before being named chief operating officer in 2012, reporting directly to then-CEO Paul Otellini.

CEO tenure and controversies

Krzanich was appointed CEO of Intel in May 2013, succeeding Paul Otellini. His strategy focused on diversifying the company beyond its core personal computer central processing unit business, emphasizing the Internet of things, memory, and programmable logic devices. Key moves included the $16.7 billion acquisition of Altera in 2015 and the landmark $15.3 billion purchase of Mobileye in 2017, positioning Intel in the autonomous vehicle market. However, his tenure faced significant challenges, including manufacturing delays with the 10 nanometer process, which allowed rivals like Advanced Micro Devices and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company to gain competitive ground. Krzanich resigned in June 2018 after the board investigated a past consensual relationship with an Intel employee, which was found to violate the company's non-fraternization policy. His departure coincided with ongoing scrutiny over the Spectre and Meltdown microprocessor security vulnerabilities.

Post-Intel career

Following his exit from Intel, Krzanich joined the board of directors at CDK Global, a provider of information technology solutions for the automotive industry. In January 2020, he was appointed CEO of Enovix Corporation, a Fremont, California-based startup developing advanced lithium-ion battery technology. Under his leadership, Enovix became a publicly traded company via a merger with a special-purpose acquisition company in 2021. He stepped down from the CEO role at Enovix in 2024.

Personal life

Krzanich married his wife, Leigh Anne, in 1982, and they have two daughters. An avid outdoorsman, he holds a commercial pilot's license and is a certified flight instructor. He has also been involved in philanthropic efforts, including support for STEM education initiatives and the Intel Foundation.

Category:American chief executives Category:Intel people Category:1960 births Category:Living people Category:San Jose State University alumni