The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced that Rich Templeton, chairman, president and CEO of Texas Instruments, has been named the 2012 recipient of SIA's highest honor, the Robert N. Noyce Award. SIA presents the Noyce Award annually in recognition of a leader who has made significant contributions to the U.S. semiconductor industry in technology or public policy.
"Throughout his distinguished career, Rich Templeton has spearheaded efforts to build a strong and vibrant U.S. semiconductor industry," said Rich Beyer, Freescale Semiconductor board member and 2012 Chairman of the SIA Board of Directors. "There's no question our industry is better off today because of Rich's longstanding leadership in promoting STEM education initiatives, semiconductor research programs and open trade practices, among his many other efforts. On behalf of the SIA Board of Directors, we are pleased to honor Rich with SIA's Robert N. Noyce Award in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments."
Templeton has been a vigorous advocate for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. During his tenure as CEO, TI and the TI Foundation have contributed more than $150 million over the past five years to education. The contributions have supported effective teaching and student achievement programs such as Teach for America, UTeach, the Advanced Placement Incentive Program, a new STEM district model with Educate Texas and the Lancaster Independent School District (ISD), and a new STEM academy in Plano ISD.
Templeton also has been a longtime champion of research and innovation and an ardent proponent of collaborative research within the industry. Most recently, he helped spur the launch of the Texas Analog Center of Excellence, the country's first and largest international, university-based analog technology center. The center is the result of a $16 million partnership involving the Semiconductor Research Corporation, the State of Texas, the University of Texas System, UT Dallas and TI.
Templeton has spent his entire career with TI and became president and CEO in 2004. He is credited with leading the company's successful shift toward analog and embedded processing chips.
"It's an honor and a privilege to receive SIA's Robert N. Noyce Award," said Templeton. "I'm proud to have spent my entire career in the semiconductor industry, and I've been fortunate to be surrounded by many hard-working and talented colleagues who have helped make the industry what it is today. It is with them in mind that I humbly and gratefully accept this award."
The Noyce Award is named in honor of semiconductor industry pioneer Robert N. Noyce, co-founder of Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel.