Dr. E. Steve Putna to Begin as Inaugural Director of the Semiconductor Institute at Texas A&M University System
BRYAN, COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Texas A&M University System announced the appointment of Dr. E. Steve Putna as the inaugural director of the Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute to begin July 1, 2024. This appointment marks a milestone in the System’s commitment to advancing semiconductor research and development, workforce training and industry collaboration.
“Dr. Putna has the experience and ambition needed to lead the Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute,” said John Sharp, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System. “What we are creating here will help bolster the semiconductor industry in the U.S. for the next century.”
The Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute was created in response to federal and state-level CHIPS and Science Act legislation. In May 2023, the System’s Board of Regents approved the establishment of the Institute. By June 2023, Gov. Abbott signed the Texas CHIPS Act that appropriated $1.4 billion for semiconductor research, development and manufacturing in Texas, with $226.4 million directly allocated to the Texas A&M System.
Dr. Putna brings to Texas A&M more than 25 years of extensive experience in the semiconductor industry, particularly in manufacturing and supply chain management at Intel Corporation. His career encompasses a wide range of technical and financial responsibilities. He has experience leading large teams and driving innovative research projects from concept to implementation.
“Following a 25-year career in semiconductor R&D and supply chain at Intel Corporation and at Semiconductor Research Corporation, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as the inaugural director of the Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute,” Dr. Putna said. “My vision for the Institute is one of boundless possibility leveraging positive reinforcement amongst Texas, the US government, and A&M’s outstanding track record of research, development, innovation, and workforce development. Intense focus on maintaining and growing public-private partnerships as well as fostering consortia alliances will drive the Institute to a position of global prominence whilst simultaneously realizing the goal of strengthening our domestic semiconductor ecosystem.”
The Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute was created to promote the growth and competitiveness of the semiconductor industry. The Institute will serve as a multidisciplinary research organization focusing on advancing semiconductor manufacturing technology and promoting workforce development. It will be a hub for collaboration among academic researchers, industry leaders, and government partners to develop innovative solutions to complex semiconductor manufacturing challenges.
Objectives of the Institute include:
- Conducting cutting-edge research and development in semiconductor manufacturing.
- Collaborating with industry partners to transfer technology from research to commercialization.
- Securing federal and state funding to support semiconductor research and workforce development.
- Offering education and training programs to develop the next generation of the semiconductor workforce.
- Establishing a secure semiconductor fabrication capability to support national defense needs.
- Addressing the critical need for U.S. leadership and security in semiconductor manufacturing.
Dr. Putna’s strategic vision for the Institute includes reviewing and refining the existing strategy and operating plans, leveraging his extensive network to build relationships with key industry and government stakeholders and driving innovation through public-private partnerships. His leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of semiconductor research and development at Texas A&M and beyond.
Dr. Putna holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $7.3 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, and the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus, the Texas A&M System educates more than 157,000 students and makes more than 21 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceed $1 billion and help drive the state’s economy.
Contact: Tim Eaton
Associate Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications
(979) 458-6018
teaton@tamus.edu