James C. Morgan
Biography
Possessing a rare blend of technological aptitude, business acumen and community leadership, James C. Morgan has made a major impact on the advancement of microelectronics technology around the world. At Applied Materials, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., Mr. Morgan’s long-term vision – involving significant research and development, strong support of engineering, early market penetration and globalization – guided the company to become the world’s largest manufacturer of semiconductor equipment. Nearly every new chip produced around the world is made using equipment manufactured by Applied Materials. In line with Mr. Morgan’s vision, Applied Materials has made more powerful, portable and affordable chips possible, enabled ultra-large flat panel TV screens and, more recently, brought manufacturing scale and expertise to the effort to reduce the cost of solar energy.
Mr. Morgan joined Applied Materials as President in 1976, and went on to serve as Chief Executive Officer from 1977 to 2003, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1987 to 2009. He currently is Chairman Emeritus.
A founding member of Semiconductor Equipment Materials International/SEMATECH, Mr. Morgan has been instrumental in developing industry-wide technology roadmaps that enable companies to collaborate and develop products more efficiently. Mr. Morgan shared some of the lessons learned at Applied Materials in his 1991 book, “Cracking the Japanese Market: Strategies for Success in the New Global Economy.” Under Mr. Morgan’s leadership, Applied Materials has received numerous awards for its drive and commitment to achieving sustainability in a clean technology economy and for its social responsibility.
Mr. Morgan was awarded the 1996 U.S. National Medal of Technology, and was named one of the five best CEOs in America by Worth magazine. He serves on a number of boards including those of Cisco Systems, the Congressional Economic Leadership Institute, the National Center for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the California Nature Conservancy.
