Three from IBM join GlobalFoundries executive team

PHOTOGRAPHER: Stephen Williams

Three veterans of IBM’s semiconductor manufacturing operations have joined the GlobalFoundries Fab 8 executive team, GlobalFoundries announced Wednesday.

Mark Dougherty, George Jordhamo, and Debra Leach Riell were all named senior directors, overseeing various technical aspects of computer chip research and production.

“Mark, George and Deb are three of the best semiconductor technology and manufacturing leaders in the industry, and we are excited to welcome these dynamic and respected industry veterans to our expanding team,” said Tom Caulfield, senior vice president and general manager of Fab 8.

GlobalFoundries and IBM have a close relationship, with 200 IBM workers assigned to help GlobalFoundries with Fab 8’s startup. The companies have also had talks about GlobalFoundries buying IBM’s chip plants in East Fishkill and Burlington, Vt., though unconfirmed reports last week said those talks came to nothing.

Dougherty will be senior director and have overall responsibility of the advanced module engineering organization at Fab 8. He joins GlobalFoundries after a 22-year career at IBM, most recently serving as director of unit process development for IBM Microelectronics in Hopewell Junction. He has also worked at IBM’s plant outside Burlington.

Jordhamo will be senior director of diffusion and cleans in the advanced module group, reporting to Dougherty. He was previously a director at IBM, leading the technology development, integration, characterization and fab controls teams. Over a 30-year career at IBM, Jordhamo was awarded seven U.S. patents.

Leach Riell will be a senior director of thin films and chemical mechanical planarization, reporting to Dougherty. She previously served as director of IBM microelectronics production procurement for the IBM Systems and Technology Group. Leach Riell has been awarded three U.S. patents. She was with IBM for 24 years.

Approximately 2,400 people work at Fab 8, and the company expects to create an additional 600 direct jobs through the end of the year. It continues to install manufacturing tools in Fab 8 and is completing construction of its Technology Development Center.