Applied Materials hires new CEO

Applied Materials has appointed Gary E Dickerson as president and chief executive officer and Michael Splinter as executive chairman of the board of directors, effective 1 September 2013. Dickerson also was elected a member of the board of directors, effective at the same time. 

Dickerson is currently president of Applied Materials and succeeds Splinter, who has served as the company’s CEO since 2003. A long-time industry leader, Gary Dickerson, 56, has a demonstrated track record of delivering growth in revenue and profits while achieving recognition for outstanding customer satisfaction and gaining market share.

Dickerson served for seven years as CEO of Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc until its acquisition by Applied Materials in 2011 and spent 18 years at KLA-Tencor Corporation where he held a variety of operations and product development roles before serving as president and chief operating officer.  He earned a BS degree in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri, Rolla, and an MBA from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Mike Splinter, 62, was named president and chief executive officer of Applied Materials and a member of its board of directors in 2003 and became chairman of the board in 2009. Splinter is a 40-year veteran of the semiconductor industry and has led Applied to record revenue and profits during his tenure as CEO.