SEMI today announced that its International Board of Directors has elected Mary Puma, president and CEO of Axcelis Technologies, as its new chairperson, effective immediately, in accordance with the association’s by-laws.
Puma will lead the SEMI International Board of Directors in evolving the association’s operations, programs and services worldwide to support the growth of member companies throughout the electronics manufacturing and design supply chain.
“We congratulate Mary on her election and look forward to working with her on behalf of SEMI member companies to accelerate semiconductor industry growth and innovation and encourage greater collaboration on the industry’s most critical challenges,” said SEMI president and CEO Ajit Manocha. “Mary has been an outstanding contributor to the SEMI International Board of Directors and will now chair its work to heighten SEMI’s development and delivery of member value across all of our regions.”
Puma has served as Axcelis’ CEO since January 2002 and was instrumental in the company’s spin off from Eaton Corporation in 2000, when she was named president and Chief Operating Officer. Puma joined Eaton’s Semiconductor Operation in 1998, first serving as the vice president of the operation’s implant business and then as vice president for the overall operation. Puma joined Eaton in May 1996 as the general manager of the company’s commercial controls division. Prior to joining Eaton, she spent 15 years in various marketing and general management positions in five General Electric business units. Puma holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Tufts University and a Master of Science degree in Management from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Puma replaces Bertrand Loy, president and CEO of Entegris, as chairperson of the SEMI Executive Committee.
“We thank Bertrand for his exemplary service on the SEMI Executive Committee,” Manocha said. “As the chair of the SEMI International Board, he helped guide SEMI through the immense challenges of the pandemic while serving as a key force in expanding our programs and services to support the growth of the global semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem. We are fortunate that he’ll continue to serve an advisory role as a past chair.”
SEMI’s 17 voting directors and 11 emeritus directors represent companies from Europe, China, Japan, Korea, North America, and Taiwan, reflecting the global scope of the association’s activities. SEMI directors are elected by the general membership as voting members of the board and can serve a total of five two-year terms.