Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. today announced that Mr. James Scholhamer has accepted an offer to become UCT’s Chief Executive Officer, effective Monday, January 19, 2015. Mr. Scholhamer will also join UCT’s Board of Directors effective as of his first day of employment. UCT’s current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Clarence Granger, has decided to retire as an officer of the company, effective Monday, January 19th. Mr. Granger will remain UCT’s non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Mr. Scholhamer has had an eight-year tenure at Applied Materials, Inc., and has most recently been Corporate Vice President and General Manager, leading the Equipment Products Group and Display Services Group of Applied Materials’ Global Service Division. Prior to joining Applied Materials, Mr. Scholhamer was Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Applied Films Corporation, which was acquired by Applied Materials in 2006. Mr. Scholhamer holds a bachelor degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
“After almost two decades with the company and twelve years as CEO, it is time for me to transfer the company’s helm to a new generation of leadership. I am very excited that we have found someone of Jim’s caliber to take on this role,” said Mr. Granger. “I am confident that we are well positioned for the next phase of the company’s growth, and I look forward to supporting Jim and the company in my role as Chairman.”
“I am very excited to lead UCT as we write the next chapter of the company’s history,” said Scholhamer. “I want to thank Clarence, the Board, the management team, and all the employees who have worked so hard and so long to nurture and grow a world class organization. I’m looking forward to building on that foundation by working with the team to take advantage of our potential, create growth opportunities for those employees, and generate attractive returns for our shareholders.”
“Our Board of Directors is confident that Jim will make significant, long-term positive contributions to the Company,” said UCT Director David ibnAle, Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee. “We are extremely grateful for Clarence Granger’s contributions to UCT during his tenure as CEO. Clarence has been the company’s only CEO during its twelve years as an independent company, and he has grown the company successfully across some very challenging cycles and market environments.”
Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. is a developer and supplier of critical systems and subsystems for the semiconductor capital equipment, flat panel display, medical, energy and research industries.