Brian Krzanich

Brian Krzanich
Name	Brian Krzanich
Birth date	1960-05-06
Birth place	San Jose, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Business executive, engineer
Alma mater	San Jose State University
Known for	Former CEO of Intel Corporation

Brian Krzanich

Brian Krzanich is an American engineer and business executive who served as chief executive officer of Intel Corporation from 2013 to 2018. He previously held senior operations and manufacturing roles at Intel and later engaged in ventures spanning venture capital, public policy, and technology startups. His career intersects with major technology firms, government entities, and global supply-chain organizations.

Early life and education

Born in San Jose, California, Krzanich attended local schools before earning a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from San Jose State University. During his education he engaged with regional technology ecosystems centered on Silicon Valley, interacting with firms such as Hewlett-Packard, Fairchild Semiconductor, and National Semiconductor that shaped his early interest in semiconductor manufacturing. His formative years overlapped with industry developments tied to figures like Gordon Moore, Robert Noyce, and institutions such as Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley that influenced the local engineering culture.

Career

Krzanich joined Intel Corporation in 1982, building a career in manufacturing and operations that included roles managing fabs and global supply chains. He worked on process technologies contemporaneous with developments from Texas Instruments, Advanced Micro Devices, and Motorola Semiconductor divisions. Over the years he collaborated with corporate leaders including Andy Grove and Paul Otellini, and engaged with consortia such as the Semiconductor Industry Association and partnerships involving Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Samsung Electronics. His expertise encompassed yield improvement, automation, and cross-border industrial strategy involving regions like Oregon, Arizona, Ireland, and Israel where Intel operated fabrication facilities.

Tenure as Intel CEO

Elevated to CEO of Intel Corporation in May 2013, Krzanich succeeded Paul Otellini and served during a period of strategic pivots toward data-centric businesses and collaborations with companies including Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple Inc. He announced initiatives to expand Intel's efforts in areas involving data centers and partnerships with cloud providers such as Oracle Corporation and Alibaba Group. Under his leadership Intel pursued acquisitions and investments touching firms like Altera, Mobileye, and startups in artificial intelligence linked to entities such as NVIDIA and research centers at MIT and Carnegie Mellon University. Krzanich championed manufacturing investments in regions such as Chandler, Arizona and Ocotillo, working with state governments including Arizona and agencies like U.S. Department of Commerce. He also promoted workforce development programs collaborating with institutions such as Community College System partners and initiatives modeled after programs at Google and Microsoft.

Controversies and resignation

Krzanich's tenure included operational challenges and public controversies. Intel faced delays in process-node roadmaps amid competition from TSMC and Samsung Electronics, and security vulnerabilities such as the Meltdown and Spectre disclosures that impacted Intel, ARM Holdings, and cloud providers including Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. In June 2018 Krzanich resigned as CEO following disclosure of a past consensual relationship with an Intel employee, invoking corporate governance standards similar to policies at Uber Technologies and Tesla, Inc. His departure prompted leadership transitions involving Bob Swan and drew attention from shareholders like Vanguard Group and BlackRock. Post-resignation discussions involved regulatory bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and corporate boards across Silicon Valley companies.

Post-Intel activities

After leaving Intel, Krzanich engaged with venture capital and startup ecosystems, forming alliances and advising ventures in fields including autonomous vehicles, semiconductors, and cleantech. He joined or advised enterprises intersecting with firms such as Waymo, Cruise, Mobileye, and startups backed by investors like Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz. He participated in public-private initiatives addressing industrial policy alongside figures from the White House technology councils and trade delegations to countries including China, India, and Israel. He also pursued activities in energy and agriculture technology collaborations reminiscent of projects involving Tesla, Inc. and General Electric.

Personal life and honors

Krzanich has been involved in civic and educational philanthropy, engaging with organizations such as United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and university foundations at San Jose State University and Stanford University. He has been recognized in lists and awards associated with publications like Fortune (magazine), Forbes, and industry honors from the Semiconductor Industry Association. His personal interests include technology advocacy and regional economic development initiatives in Silicon Valley and Phoenix, Arizona. He has maintained residences in California and Arizona and participates in forums alongside leaders from National Governors Association and multinational corporations.

Category:1960 births Category:American chief executives Category:Intel people