SIA names FIRST advisor as incoming president

Brian Toohey, an advisor to the FIRST organization and a member of the US Department of Commerce's International Trade Advisory Committee, will take over in July for George Scalise, who announced his plans last year to retire.

By Suzanne Deffree, Managing editor, news -- EDN, June 16, 2010

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has announced its new president and the successor to George Scalise, who last year announced his plans to retire in 2010.

Brian Toohey, 42, who most recently served as a senior vice president at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), will officially join the SIA on July 19. Toohey takes the role as the SIA completes its relocation of its primary office to Washington, DC, a move the group announced last year that it believes will allow it to intensify its work with government authorities and Congress.

"The semiconductor industry is arguably the greatest example of American innovation and the strategic importance of leadership in technology," said Toohey in a statement. "Semiconductor-enabled technologies address the most critical issues of 21^st century society: driving economic growth, increasing productivity, advancing medical science and health care, improving education, and addressing energy and environmental concerns.  

"I am honored to succeed George Scalise, a man whose career has spanned nearly the entire history of the microelectronics industry," he continued. "Our most immediate challenge is to communicate the strategic importance of the semiconductor industry and maintain global leadership in this industry. No other product or industry exerts such an outsized positive influence on the success of other industries and economic sectors."

Scalise, as well as John Daane, chairman of the SIA and CEO of Altera Corp, backed the appointment. Toohey also received a strong endorsement from Dean Kamen, founder of DEKA Research and Development Corp, inventor of the Segway, and Toohey's former employer.

"Semiconductors are the building blocks for enabling innovative new technologies," said Kamen in the statement. "Brian is a dynamic leader and a great communicator. SIA could not have chosen a better advocate for policies to retain and expand American leadership in this critical industry."

During his seven years at PhRMA, Toohey also held vice president of international affairs and managing director of federal affairs and international trade positions. Additionally, he has held the senior vice president position at DEKA, senior vice president at the wireless network operator and service provider AirCell, and director of international government affairs and strategic planning at global satellite company Iridium, as well as a managing director of Iridium's European business unit.  Prior to joining the private sector, Toohey served as desk officer and deputy director in the Europe office at the US Department of Commerce. Further, He is an advisor to FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), Kamen's not-for-profit organization working to encourage science and technology education in America's schools, and is a member of the US Department of Commerce's and United States Trade Representative's International Trade Advisory Committee.

Toohey holds BS and MA degrees from Georgetown University.