Dec. 21, 2001 – Hsinchu, Taiwan – Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has appointed Dick Thurston VP and general counsel, effective January 2002.

Thurston will be responsible for legal and IP management, reporting directly to TSMC Chairman Morris Chang. He replaces K.C. Chen, who has resigned as senior VP and general counsel to teach law at a Taiwanese university.

Chang noted, “We are very happy to have Thurston join TSMC’s management team. With Thurston’s global experience in commercial, technology and international law, I believe that he will make significant contribution to TSMC’s legal and IP management.”

Prior to joining TSMC, Thurston was a partner at Kelt Capital Partners LP, Addison, TX. Prior to that he was with Haynes and Boone, Dallas, TX, for five years.