John W. Balde

During his almost 40-year tenure at Bell Telephone Laboratories and Western Electric in both the Princeton, New Jersey and Winston-Salem, North Carolina locations, John W. (Jack) Balde contributed significantly in tantalum film hybrids, under carpet cable technology, and the introduction of advanced interconnect technology. A pioneering promoter of industry synergy, Mr. Balde spearheaded the globalization of surface mount, multichip module (MCM) and advanced interconnect technologies, most notably through founding conferences and workshops, leading committees and task forces, and authoring numerous publications. An IEEE Life Fellow and a Fellow and Life Member of the International Microelectronics and Packaging Society (IMAPS), Mr. Balde's awards included the IEEE Third Millennium Medal and the IMAPS Hughes Award. He held 16 patents. Founder of Interconnection Decision Consulting, Flemington, New Jersey, in 1981, Mr. Balde was a senior consultant there at the time of his death on 8 September 2003.