Mark David Editorial Director

The global stage is set for energy-efficient designs and the leaders who create them.

While there is no consensus in the engineering community about the causes of global warming, there is also no doubt that society’s focus on the issue brings tremendous opportunity to the electronics industry — and, in particular, to power-electronics designers. Added to the fears about climate change are the skyrocketing cost of energy and a political push for energy independence, all setting the stage for innovation and investment in energy efficiency.

At the center of tomorrow's energy solutions is power-systems design. And at the heart of the companies showing the way are the power-industry CEOs. These are the thinkers who have the vision to push beyond society's inertia and industry’s typical short-term focus to find better ways to power our world — to build more efficient IT infrastructures, to cleanly fuel our transportation and to efficiently recharge our digital lifestyle.

In our second-annual CEO focus, we look at the people and the philosophies behind these new approaches. Our editorial mission at Power Electronics Technology is to keep you on the forefront of power technologies. In this special issue, we also put the technology into context of the ideas behind the products.

I'd be hard-pressed to think of another group of people or set of technologies that can have greater impact for today and for tomorrow. Beyond the environmental considerations, power efficiency is central to moving electronic design beyond its current limits. The mobile/digital revolution that is transforming our society requires that our next-generation devices must run longer and more efficiently.

Our CEO issue shines the spotlight on the leaders who are rising to these challenges, motivated both by the opportunity to make an impact on society and to find the innovations that will distance their companies from the pack. We hope that this CEO issue will be an inspiration to you in your work, as you also consider how power design can have an impact on both your company’s success and on a greener future.

Power Electronics CEOs Discuss Energy Efficiency

Power Electronics Technology asked CEOs from the industry to weigh in on government mandates, global warming, alternative energy and more as they consider how new power technologies can alter the course of the future....

Central Semiconductor Corp.: Jack Radgowski

In an industry where change is a constant, discrete semiconductor manufacturers need strong leaders to provide guidance and vision to ensure a successful and profitable future. Central Semiconductor Corp. of Hauppauge, New York, has such an individual in its founder and CEO Jack Radgowski. sponsored content...

Actel Corp.: John East

John East is a pioneer in the programmable logic industry, serving as Actel's president and CEO for nearly 20 years. Under his leadership, the company has achieved many milestones, including the world's first flash-based field-programmable gate array (FPGA) solutions; the industry's lowest-power FPGA family, IGLOO; and the first mixed-signal programmable system chip, Fusion. sponsored content...

Vicor Corp.: Patrizio Vinciarelli

In 1970, Patrizio Vinciarelli, a native of Italy, came to the United States with a doctorate in physics from the University of Rome and experience with the European Center for Nuclear Research. sponsored content...

Dean Technology Inc.:Craig Dean

Dean Technology Inc. was founded in 1989 with the intent to grow in an evolving industry using three classic methods: mergers and acquisitions, product efficiencies and new product development. Craig Dean joined the company in 1997, after completing his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at Syracuse University. sponsored content...

Renco Electronics Inc.: Edward W. Rensing

Founded in 1955, Renco Electronics Inc. designs and manufactures transformers, inductors and coils in surface-mount, through-hole and chassis-mount geometries. After more than 20 years of service to Renco, Edward. W. Rensing became the company's CEO and president. sponsored content...