Chip veteran dies

Chipmaker Analog Deviceshas announced that its long-time Chief Executive Officer Jerald Fishman had a heart attack and died. He was 67.

Fishman joined Analog Devices in 1971 and rose through the ranks to become its chief executive Officer in 1996. In 1980, Fishman was elected Vice President and then again in 1988 as Executive Vice President. In 1991, he became President and Chief Operating Officer and in 1996, he was elected as President and Chief Executive Officer.

During his reign, the company’s revenue more than doubled and its share price grew more than threefold. And in 2004, Fishman was named “CEO of the Year” by Electronics Business.

The company makes microchips used in automobiles, industrial machinery and communication equipment.

Ray Stata, chairman of the board issued a statement saying that it was a terrible loss for him and the company.

“Jerry dedicated his entire career to building ADI into a great company one of which we all are enormously proud, he said.

Analog Devices has named President Vincent Roche as its interim CEO.