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Pasquale Pistoria, Driver of Global Microelectronics Development, to Receive 2011 IEEE Robert N. Noyce Medal

Vision and Leadership Helped Europe Close Gap in Semiconductor Industry Competitiveness
 
10 August 2011 – Pasquale Pistorio, an engineer turned executive whose pioneering collaborative efforts helped improve the microelectronics industry in Europe and led to the creation of one of the world’s top semiconductor manufacturers, is being honored by IEEE with the 2011 IEEE Robert N. Noyce Medal. IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional association.

The medal, sponsored by the Intel Foundation, recognizes Pistorio for contributions to, and leadership in, the technology, business and environmental development of the global semiconductor and electronics industry. The medal will be presented on 20 August 2011 at the IEEE Honors Ceremony in San Francisco, Calif.

One of Pistorio’s greatest accomplishments was merging Italy’s SGS Group with France’s Thomson Semiconducteurs during the 1980s to form what is today known as STMicroelectronics. A pioneer of collaborative approaches that are now commonplace, Pistorio used his charisma and persistence to overcome the diverse social, economic and political landscape in Europe to successfully merge companies in France, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States.

In 1980, Pistorio left a successful position with Motorola Corporation, where he was general manager of the company’s International Semiconductor Division, to take on the challenge of reviving the only remaining microelectronics company in his native Italy. As chief executive officer of the SGS Group, Pistorio transformed the struggling company into a successful semiconductor manufacturer with his commitment to collaboration and smart business practices. This led to the merger with Thomson in 1987, which positioned the newly formed company, then known as SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, as a strong international competitor. Pistorio’s leadership skills were crucial in overcoming the anxieties and mistrust initially involved with this first-of-its-kind merger of equals in a very competitive industry.

Pistorio’s dedication to collaborative research and development has championed the cause of the microelectronics industry as a whole. He was a key driver of the Joint European Sub-micron Silicon Initiative (JESSI) and the MicroElectronics Development for European Applications (MEDEA) group. These groups helped Europe close the technology gap with the rest of the world as companies learned that competitors could become respected partners for the good of the industry.

Pistorio is also an advocate of environmental protection and believes that environmentally friendly companies are more financially competitive. STMicroelectronics has substantially reduced consumption of energy, water, paper and hazardous chemicals and has cut greenhouse gas emissions. He also has a special interest in corporate responsibility and bridging the imbalance between those who have access to technology and those who do not.

Pistorio’s past memberships include the European Nanotechnology Initiative Advisory Council, the United Nations ICT Task Force and the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum. His awards include the IEEE Ernst Weber Engineering Leadership Recognition and ACE Lifetime Achievement Award from EETimes magazine. He received his master’s degree in electronics from the Polytechnic of Turin, Italy, and holds honorary degrees from seven universities. He retired from STMicroelectronics, Geneva, Switzerland, as president and chief executive officer in 2005 and is the company’s honorary chairman.