Krzanich

Krzanich. Brian Krzanich is an American business executive best known for his tenure as the chief executive officer of the semiconductor giant Intel Corporation. He joined the company in 1982 and held numerous manufacturing and management roles before ascending to the CEO position in 2013, succeeding Paul Otellini. His leadership was marked by significant strategic shifts, including major investments in foundry services and the acquisition of Mobileye, but was ultimately cut short by his resignation in 2018 following a consensual relationship with an employee that violated company policy.

Early life and education

Krzanich was born in Santa Clara, California, in the heart of the region that would become known as Silicon Valley. He pursued his higher education at San Jose State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. This scientific foundation provided a critical basis for his future career in the highly technical semiconductor industry, where understanding materials science and chemical processes is essential for chip fabrication and advanced manufacturing.

Career at Intel

Krzanich began his long career at Intel Corporation in 1982 as a process engineer at the company's fabrication plant in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He steadily advanced through the ranks, holding various management positions within Intel's Technology and Manufacturing Group, which oversees the company's global semiconductor fabrication operations. His expertise in manufacturing efficiency and yield management led to key leadership roles, including vice president and general manager of Assembly and Test, and later, chief operating officer in 2012, where he reported directly to then-CEO Paul Otellini.

CEO tenure

Krzanich was appointed as the sixth CEO of Intel Corporation in May 2013, taking the helm during a period of significant transition in the personal computer market. His tenure was characterized by ambitious attempts to diversify Intel's business beyond its core CPU market for servers and PCs. Key initiatives included a major push into the foundry services business to manufacture chips for other companies, such as Altera, and the $15.3 billion acquisition of the autonomous driving technology firm Mobileye. However, his leadership faced criticism for Intel's loss of process technology leadership to rivals like TSMC and the handling of major security vulnerabilities, including Meltdown and Spectre.

Post-Intel career

Following his departure from Intel Corporation in June 2018, Krzanich joined the board of directors at CDK Global, a provider of integrated technology solutions for the automotive retail industry. In 2020, he became the CEO of AM General, the American manufacturer known for vehicles like the Humvee and contractor for the United States Department of Defense. His role at AM General focuses on steering the company's strategy in defense contracting and exploring new opportunities in electric and autonomous military vehicles, leveraging his experience in large-scale manufacturing and technology integration from his time at Intel.

Personal life

Krzanich maintains a relatively private personal life. He is known to have an interest in classic cars and racing, having participated in events like the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. His resignation from Intel was prompted by a violation of the company's non-fraternization policy, which he acknowledged was a mistake. He has been involved with various educational and industry initiatives, supporting STEM programs that align with his background in chemistry and engineering.

Category:American chief executives Category:Intel people Category:San Jose State University alumni Category:Businesspeople from California