[November 17, 2009] New CEO a local grad: RPI alum Dan Armbrust to head Sematech; has UAlbany NanoTech ties [Albany Times Union, N.Y.] Tweet (Times Union (Albany, NY) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Nov. 17--ALBANY -- Sematech Inc., the computer chip research consortium with operations in both Albany and Austin, Texas, announced a new leader Monday with upstate New York ties. Daniel Armbrust, a vice president at IBM Corp. in charge of the company's computer chip factory in East Fishkill, becomes chief executive officer of Sematech, replacing another IBM alumnus, Michael Polcari. Armbrust takes over Sematech immediately, with Polcari becoming chairman of the Sematech board. Most of the leading computer chip companies in the world are members of Sematech, including Intel, IBM, Samsung and GlobalFoundries, the company building a $4.2 billion computer chip factory at the Luther Forest Technology Campus in Malta. Polcari, who joined Sematech in 2003, significantly expanded Sematech's local operations after convincing the state Legislature in 2007 to fund half of a $600 million expansion project at the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. The appointment of Armbrust, 47, came as somewhat of a surprise because it was not known -- at least outside the semiconductor industry -- that a search was under way for Polcari's replacement. But Armbrust is well known at the NanoCollege and its $4.5 billion Albany NanoTech complex, where IBM has a major presence. "With top-flight credentials that include leadership roles in support of IBM's global nanoelectronics research, manufacturing and strategic alliances, Dan Armbrust is uniquely qualified to lead Sematech during this exciting time in the organization's history," said Alain Kaloyeros, the CEO of the NanoCollege. "We look forward to working closely with Dan to further build the successful partnership." A Sematech spokesman said that Armbrust would be based in Austin, where Sematech has its official headquarters, and he would also have an office in Albany. Armbrust earned his undergraduate degree from Penn State University, but he got his masters degree in manufacturing systems engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy. He will likely also be well-paid. According to the most recent federal tax forms available, Polcari was paid more than $750,000 a year. Larry Rulison can be reached at 454-5504 or by e-mail at [email protected]. To see more of the Albany Times Union, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.timesunion.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Albany Times Union, N.Y. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]