Jan. 29, 2003 – Austin, TX – International SEMATECH (ISMT), a global consortium of semiconductor manufacturers, has named Michael R. Polcari, an IBM senior manager and veteran technologist, as its new president and CEO, effective Feb. 11.

Polcari, former research director of Silicon Technology and director of Advanced Semiconductor Technology Laboratory at IBM’s T.J. Watson Research Center, will replace Bob Helms, who joined ISMT from Texas Instruments in July 2001. Helms will remain with ISMT until May to ensure an effective management transition.

“We are delighted to have attracted someone with Polcari’s experience and credentials to International SEMATECH,” said OB Bilous, chairman of ISMT’s board of directors. “The board believes that Mike has the right mix of technical background and business know-how to successfully manage our consortium during a period of profound economic uncertainty for the industry.”

Helms said he is stepping down for personal reasons unrelated to external events, and that he has been considering such action since the middle of last year. “I decided to initiate the change sooner rather than later, so that International SEMATECH could continue moving forward under dynamic leadership,” he said.

Helms is currently on leave of absence from Texas Instruments.