Patrick Paul Gelsinger (/ˈɡɛlsɪŋɡər/; born March 5, 1961)[1] is an American business executive and engineer, who was the CEO of Intel from February 2021 to December 2024.[2][3][4]

Pat Gelsinger
Gelsinger in 2017
Born
Patrick Paul Gelsinger

(1961-03-05) March 5, 1961 (age 63)
Education
Years active1979–2024 (retired)
Employer(s)Formerly EMC Corporation, Intel and VMware
Known forChief architect of the i486
PredecessorBob Swan
Board member of
SpouseLinda Fortune
Children4
Family8 grandchildren

Based mainly in Silicon Valley since the late 1970s, Gelsinger graduated from Stanford University with a master's degree in engineering in 1985 and was the chief architect of Intel's i486 microprocessor in the 1980s. He was Intel's CTO from 2001 to 2009. He left Intel in 2009 and was the CEO of VMware and president and chief operating officer (COO) at EMC, before returning to Intel as CEO in February 2021.[5][6] In 2024, he stepped down as the CEO and from the board of directors.[4]

Early life and education

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Gelsinger was raised on family farms by his parents, June and Paul Gelsinger, in rural Robesonia, in an Amish and Mennonite part of Pennsylvania.[1][7] As a teenager, he received a high score on a Lincoln Tech electronics technology test, winning an early-admission scholarship. He then skipped his final year at Conrad Weiser High School and left home at 16 for college. There he earned the remainder of high school credits for graduation and worked at WFMZ-TV Channel 69 as a technician,[8] while obtaining an associate’s degree from Lincoln Tech in West Orange, New Jersey[9] in 1979.

In 1979, at age 18, he moved to Silicon Valley to work at Intel as a quality-control technician.[7][10][1] While at Intel, he earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, graduating magna cum laude[11] from Santa Clara University in 1983, and then earned a master's degree in electrical engineering and computer science from Stanford University in 1985.[9]

Career

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An Intel 486DX2 microprocessor using the 80486 architecture designed by Gelsinger in the 1980s

Gelsinger first joined Intel at 18 years old in 1979 just after earning an associate degree from Lincoln Tech.[9] He spent much of his career with the company in Oregon,[12] where he maintains a home.[13] In 1987, he co-authored his first book about programming the 80386 microprocessor.[14][15] Gelsinger was the lead architect of the 4th generation 80486 processor[15] introduced in 1989.[9] At age 32, he was named the youngest vice president in Intel's history.[7] Mentored by Intel CEO Andrew Grove, Gelsinger became the company's CTO in 2001, leading key technology developments, including Wi-Fi, USB, Intel Core and Intel Xeon processors, and 14 chip projects.[16][17] He launched the Intel Developer Forum conference as a counterpart to Microsoft's WinHEC.

In September 2009, he left Intel to join EMC as president and chief operating officer.[17] In 2012, he became the CEO of VMware.[16][18]

Gelsinger rejoined Intel as their new CEO on February 15, 2021, after previously having a 30 year-long career at the company in various technical engineering and leadership roles.[19][2] This followed reorganization pressure, due to languishing share prices, from its newest activist investor Third Point Management. Gelsinger led Intel's course correction, including construction of two $20 billion Arizona manufacturing plants (fabs) for its planned expansion.[20][21][22][23] Media reported positive responses to Gelsinger's appointment and credited the decision for driving Intel share prices up nearly 8%.[24][25] On March 23, 2021, Intel shares rose over 6% following Gelsinger’s remarks regarding company strategy.[26]

In May 2021, Gelsinger was interviewed by Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes. Gelsinger stated that Intel plans to catch up with Taiwanese chip manufacturer TSMC and Korean chip manufacturer Samsung within the next five years. He announced a planned three and a half-billion dollar upgrade to Intel's fab in New Mexico.[27]

In March 2022, Gelsinger personally announced the start of an entirely new fab built for roughly $20 billion near Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany to employ 7,000 people during construction work and 3,000 people in production work in 2027.[28]

On December 1, 2024, Gelsinger stepped down from the position of Intel CEO and from the company’s board of directors. CFO David Zinsner and executive Michelle Johnston Holthaus were named interim co-CEOs, while board member Frank Yeary assumed interim executive chairship.[3][4]

Honors and appointments

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He was named a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in 2008 and is a director of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). He is a member of the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC).[11]

Gelsinger holds eight design patents, developed for communications, computer architecture and VLSI design.[15][11]

In 2021, Gelsinger was appointed to President Joe Biden's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. In this position, he has advised Biden on the chips shortage and advocated for the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act. Gelsinger was a guest at Biden's State of the Union Address in March 2022.[29] Biden has spoken in favor of Intel's investment in fabrication plants in the U.S. and has visited the $20 billion facility planned in Ohio alongside Gelsinger.[30]

Honors

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In October 2021, Gelsinger was inducted into Indiana Wesleyan University's Society of World Changers. While speaking on campus he received an honorary doctor of science degree and a bronze bust of Gelsinger was placed in the university's library rotunda. In 2022, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Engineering from Ohio State University.[31]

Personal life

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Gelsinger and his wife Linda[7] are Christians[32] who "support multiple worthy causes", including sponsorship of disaster relief medical teams.[13] In 2013, Gelsinger co-founded Transforming the Bay with Christ (TBC), a coalition of business leaders, venture capitalists, non-profit leaders and pastors that aims to convert one million people over the next decade.[33][34] He helped establish the Sacramento-area Christian institution William Jessup University from which he also received an honorary doctorate.[35] Gelsinger and his wife have 4 children.[36]

Bibliography

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  • Crawford, John H.; Gelsinger, Patrick P. (1987). Programming the 80386. San Francisco, CA: Sybex Inc. ISBN 978-0-89588-381-0. LCCN 87061199.
  • Gelsinger, Pat (2003). Balancing Your Family, Faith & Work. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook. ISBN 978-0781438995.
  • Gelsinger, Pat (2008). The Juggling Act: Bringing Balance to Your Faith, Family, and Work. Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook. ISBN 978-1434768742.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Brock, David C.; Fairbairn, Doug (January 9, 2019). "Oral History of Pat Gelsinger" (PDF). Computer History. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Fitch, Asa (January 13, 2021). "Intel Ousts CEO Bob Swan". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger is out, stock up 5%". CNBC. December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Intel CEO Gelsinger Retires, Leaves Board". WSJ. December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  5. ^ Valinsky, Jordan; Duffy, Clare (January 13, 2021). "Intel ousts CEO and names successor". CNN. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  6. ^ "Note from Pat Gelsinger to Intel". Intel Newsroom. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d Savidge, Mariella (January 23, 2000). "Berks Native Made It Big With Intel Patrick P. Gelsinger Was Architect of Chipmaker's 486 Processor". The Morning Call. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  8. ^ Anthes, Gary (June 5, 2008). "The Grill: Intel's Patrick Gelsinger on the hot seat". Computer World. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d Pressman, Aaron (January 13, 2021). "Who is Intel's new CEO, Pat Gelsinger". Fortune. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  10. ^ Karlgaard, Rich (June 28, 2016). "Serial Bloomer: Pat Gelsinger". Forbes. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c "Pat Gelsinger CEO, VMware". Export-Import Bank of the United States. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  12. ^ Rogoway, Mike (February 14, 2021). "With new CEO Pat Gelsinger, Intel looks to its past in hopes of securing the future". Oregon Live. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Parker, Garrett (January 12, 2018). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Pat Gelsinger". Money, Inc. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  14. ^ Crawford, John H.; Gelsinger, Patrick P. (1987). Programming the 80386. San Francisco, CA: Sybex Inc. ISBN 978-0-89588-381-0. LCCN 87061199.
  15. ^ a b c "Pat Gelsinger: A journey back home" (PDF). Intel Newsroom. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 15, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  16. ^ a b "Board of Directors Patrick Gelsinger". Semiconductor Industry Association. June 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  17. ^ a b Robertson, Jordan (September 14, 2009). "Executive shuffle at Intel: Pat Gelsinger leaves to join EMC". The Mercury News. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  18. ^ Sozzi, Brian (May 23, 2022). "Intel CEO weighs in on Broadcom's potential blockbuster deal for VMware". Yahoo! Finance. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022.
  19. ^ "Intel Appoints Tech Industry Leader Pat Gelsinger as New CEO". Intel Newsroom. January 13, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  20. ^ Smith, Ryan (March 17, 2021). "Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger To Host Webcast About Intel's Future On March 23rd". AnandTech. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  21. ^ Martin, Dylan (July 23, 2021). "Gelsinger: Intel Will Expand Manufacturing, Make Chips For Others". CRN. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  22. ^ Dell Incorporated (October 12, 2015). "EMC Corporation". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  23. ^ Kelion, Leo (March 24, 2021). "Intel chief Pat Gelsinger: Too many chips made in Asia". BBC News. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  24. ^ Clark, Don; Lohr, Steve (January 13, 2021). "Intel, Under Pressure to Rethink Its Business, Ousts Its Chief Executive". The New York Times. San Francisco, CA. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  25. ^ Cherney, Max A. (January 13, 2021). "All the Problems Pat Gelsinger Faces as Intel's Next CEO". Barron's. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  26. ^ Leswing, Kif (March 23, 2021). "'Intel is back:' New CEO's plan to make chips for other companies excites investors". CNBC. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  27. ^ Stahl, Lesley (May 2, 2021). "Chip shortage highlights U.S. dependence on fragile supply chain". CBS News. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
  28. ^ "Intel spends $33 billion in Germany in landmark expansion". Reuters.
  29. ^ Overfelt, Maggie (March 2, 2022). "Why Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger was a guest at President Biden's State of the Union address". CNBC. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  30. ^ Kelly, Makena (September 9, 2022). "President Joe Biden speaks after groundbreaking for Intel's $20 billion semiconductor plant". The Verge. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  31. ^ "Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger to be inducted as World Changer". Indiana Wesleyan University. October 25, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  32. ^ Karlsgaard, Rich (June 28, 2016). "Serial Bloomer: Pat Gelsinger". Fortune. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  33. ^ Klett, Leah MarieAnn (January 27, 2019). "Christianity in Silicon Valley: Meet the movement transforming the San Francisco Bay area with Christ". The Christian Post. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  34. ^ Brigham, Katie (November 10, 2018). "Religious leaders are trying to get more Bay Area residents to church — and they're using tech marketing tactics in their quest". CNBC. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  35. ^ "Pat Gelsinger". IEEE. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  36. ^ "Patrick Gelsinger". Intel. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
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Business positions
Preceded by CEO, VMware
2012–2021
Succeeded by
Preceded by CEO, Intel
2021–present
Succeeded by
Incumbent