Emcore Corp of Albuquerque, NM, USA, which makes compound semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the fiber-optic and space solar power markets, has announced a transition plan of its CEO position in connection with the sale of its Space Photovoltaics business. In light of Emcore’s more narrowly focused business operations following the completion of this transaction, president & CEO Dr Hong Q. Hou will be stepping down from his position.
Hou will continue to serve in his current role until his successor is appointed. After serving as president & CEO since March 2008 and as a member of the board of directors since 2006, he will work with the board to ensure a smooth transition to the next CEO for the remaining fiber-optics business. Hou will resign from the board after a successor has been appointed.
The board has formed a search committee consisting of current board members Dr Gerald Fine, Dr James Tegnelia and Stephen Domenik. The committee has been granted the authority to identify, consider, assess, evaluate, research, and recommend to the entire board the candidates for the position of CEO.
After joining Emcore as director of technology in 1998, Hou co-founded the Photovoltaics division and led the commercialization of high-efficiency multi-junction solar cell technology for space power applications, which was based on his research work and patents licensed from Sandia National Laboratories. Hou was instrumental in taking concepts from the drawing board to the production of space-qualified products. From 2000 to 2006, he served as VP & general manager of several fiber-optics divisions (leading many initiatives to grow the fiber-optics businesses) and was instrumental in sourcing, negotiating, acquiring and integrating several companies into Emcore’s business portfolio. Hou was promoted to chief operating officer in December 2006, then to president & CEO in March 2008.
"Hong has provided tremendous technical and business leadership to Emcore over the past 16 years and has helped navigate the company through a very dynamic and complex marketplace,” comments co-chairman Dr Gerald Fine. “I applaud his contributions to the space photovoltaics and fiber-optics industries,” he adds. “It was with his vision and passion for success that Emcore became a leader in this innovative and competitive industry. He has helped to both lead the company in the development of new technologies and business opportunities, as well as manage people through extreme challenges.”
