MIDAS Ireland Announces Intel Veteran, Leonard Hobbs As New Executive Chairperson

MIDAS Ireland, the industry association for microelectronics in Ireland, is delighted to announce the appointment of Intel veteran, Leonard Hobbs, as its new Executive Chairperson.

Leonard is one of Ireland’s leading technologists in the ICT sector with extensive and wide ranging experience in the microelectronics industry. This experience has been chiefly garnered from 25 years in Intel with roles in leading edge research to technology transfer to advanced manufacturing and high volume operations in the US, Europe and Ireland. During his long and varied career, he has built a very strong network within the industry and further afield in the broader business and academic community.

“The MIDAS committee is very pleased to welcome Leonard as our new Chairperson,” said Ted O’Shea, outgoing Chairperson of MIDAS. “We are extremely excited to have a Chairperson of such high calibre as Leonard, with his great experience working with national and international semiconductor companies. Under Leonard’s leadership we’re looking forward to the continued promotion and development of the microelectronics industry in Ireland into the future.”

Leonard Hobbs, Executive Chairperson, MIDAS Ireland said: “I am delighted and indeed honoured to accept this position in such a prestigious organisation as MIDAS. As internet associated technologies continue to expand their influence in the way we live, work and communicate, the enabling role of microelectronic systems becomes even more important. I look forward to working with this talented team in growing this sector’s contribution to the development of this digital world.“

Founded in 1999, MIDAS is an industry led cluster consisting of industry, educational, research and government agencies, working together to assist in the development of the micro and nano-electronics based systems sector in Ireland. Since its inception, the Microelectronics Industry Design Association has significantly expanded its focus from primarily integrated circuits design to supporting the entire value chain required for the delivery of complete electronic and software system solutions. MIDAS is Ireland’s member of Silicon Europe, which is an alliance of Europe’s leading micro and nano-electronics clusters.