Colorado Springs, Colorado–Ramtron International Corp., a developer of specialty semiconductor memory products, announced today that it has appointed William W. Staunton III as the company’s chief executive officer, effective immediately. L. David Sikes will continue in his role as chairman, providing strategic direction to the company.
Staunton joins Ramtron from Space Electronics, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company and supplier of microelectronics for space and high-reliability applications, where he served as chief operating officer. Earlier, he was executive vice president of Valor Electronics, managing the company’s business units, design and manufacturing engineering, and quality-reliability functions, as well as worldwide manufacturing operations. Prior to Valor Electronics, Staunton served as vice president, quality and reliability, for Applied Microcircuits Corporation. Previously, he held a variety of operations-management positions with Motorola and Burr-Brown Research Corp. Staunton holds a BSEE degree from Utah State University.
“I look forward to the challenge of growing Ramtron’s FRAM and Enhanced Memory businesses,” says Staunton. “These two technologies have gained acceptance in the marketplace and are poised to move from niche product status to mainstream applications. Ramtron represents an exciting opportunity and, together with its management team, I look forward to contributing to its future success.”
“As Ramtron’s chairman and CEO since 1995, I have focused on four primary goals for the company: to resolve the financial issues associated with a former significant shareholder, broaden strategic alliances, improve the company’s balance sheet, and increase Ramtron’s funding base to enable its growth,” says Sikes. “With the completion of the recently announced Infineon transaction, these goals have been accomplished. Now, in my role as chairman, I look forward to continuing our relationships with the investment community and working to strengthen and enhance our strategic partnership base.”