GlobalFoundries hires 3 more IBM execs
Three IBM Corp. executives from its Microelectronics Division are heading north to work at GlobalFoundries' expanding plant in the Saratoga County Town of Malta in the latest sign that the chip industry is diminishing in the mid-Hudson and heading upstate.
GlobalFoundries announced the hires Wednesday, hailing the three as "industry veterans" who would help the company ramp up its operations at the plant, called Fab 8.
The background is that the two companies were reported to have been negotiating a deal to transfer IBM's chip manufacturing operations to Global. The Poughkeepsie Journal has reported that the deal hit a snag. But that has not stopped GlobalFoundries from trying to get hold of chip talent from IBM. And it leaves unanswered all questions about the future of the East Fishkill IBM plant and its workers.
The hires were announced by Tom Caulfield, Global's senior vice president and general manager of Fab 8, himself a former IBMer.
The hires were Mark Dougherty, who comes from the East Fishkill site where he worked on unit process development; George Jordhamo, who worked on radio frequency and silicon germanium chip specialty products; and Debra Leach Riell, who has been director of IBM's microelectronics production procurement. Riell's LinkedIn page identifies her as a Dutchess resident. Jordhamo has connections both at East Fishkill and Burlington.
"Mark, George and Deb are three of the best semiconductor technology and manufacturing leaders in the industry, and we are excited to welcome these dynamic and respected industry veterans to our expanding team," said Caulfield in the formal announcement.
Industry analyst Rob Lineback of IC Insights in Scottsdale, Arizona, said, "It's a little unusual to see senior people leave IBM, but these are sort of unusual times." The chip industry is facing restructuring. "There is a very large battle going on between all the major foundries to at least put out the perception that they're gaining momentum or they've got the talent."
"They're luring people away," he said. "This makes sense that Global would find it attractive to hire some IBM people," he said. "Whether it's a prelude to something else happening, I don't know."
Craig Wolf: 845-437-4815; cwolf@poughkeepsiejournal.com; Twitter: @craigwolfPJ