International Rectifier announces executive management promotion

International Rectifier has announced a new organisational appointment to the company's leadership team.

Dr. Michael A. Briere, 45, has been appointed to the role of Executive Vice President, Research & Development and Chief Technology Officer. In his new role, Dr. Briere will be responsible for the company's technology and product development strategies.

Dr. Briere joined International Rectifier in 2003 and most recently served as the company's Executive Vice President, Research & Development. In that role, Dr. Briere led a team of 250 engineers and scientists on all aspects of International Rectifier's research and development programs. Prior to that role, Dr. Briere served as the company's Vice President of Integrated Circuit Development where he was responsible for the company's global research and development of its wafer fabrication processes, device design, and characterisation. He also led the electronic design automation and test technologies for integrated circuits used in power management applications.

Before joining International Rectifier, Dr. Briere was Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Picor Corporation, a developer and marketer of innovative power IC designs and systems. A 20-year semiconductor industry veteran, Dr. Briere previously held positions at IBM, the Hahn Meitner Institute of Berlin, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Cherry Semiconductor, and ON Semiconductor.

Dr. Briere holds a BSEE and MS in Physics from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and a Doctorate in Solid State Physics from the Technical University of Berlin. He also served on the IEEE subcommittee on power devices and ICs, the program committee for the International Symposium for Power Semiconductor Devices and ICs, and was a member of the Advisory Board for the Center for Surfaces and Thin Films at the University of Rhode Island, where he also served as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Physics.

Don Dancer, International Rectifier's acting Chief Executive Officer, said, "I am very pleased to have Mike Briere, a proven industry veteran, spearhead the development and execution of IR's next generation of products. During this time of transition, Mike has demonstrated consistent leadership and dedication to IR's customers and employees. I am confident that his experience, technological expertise, and innovation will continue to help propel IR forward."

International Rectifier