Faces of ECIA – Adam Badgett

What is your involvement with ECIA and what have you gained from your engagement with the association?

I joined the Global Industry Practices Committee about a year ago. I have greatly appreciated learning from my GIPC colleagues in other parts of the Electronic Component Industry. In addition to discussing areas in common amongst us, I have also learned about the unique challenges faced in other areas. 

What does your company do and what is your role in your company?

Renesas Electronics is a diversified Semiconductor Company with $10B+ annual sales. Renesas is headquartered in Japan and has sizable operations in USA and Europe based largely on their acquisitions of Intersil (2017), IDT (2019) and Dialog Semiconductor (2021). I joined Renesas via Dialog’s acquisition of my prior company (Adesto Technologies) and Renesas’ acquisition of Dialog 1 year later. Since becoming part of Renesas, I have had various roles with the Supply Chain Team, the Power Business Unit, and the Sales Organization. My current position is Director of Americas Customer Operations. 

What is your favorite thing about this industry?

For me, it’s all about the manufacturing. I greatly appreciate the constant technology innovation on the manufacturing side that enables our industry. And I find it fascinating that the pace of change is driven by the extreme specialization of dedicated suppliers to our wider industry (for software, tooling, materials, equipment, contract manufacturing, etc.). 

What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

I run for exercise and enjoy camping, hiking, paddleboarding, and just generally being outdoors. 

What is the best piece of career advice you've ever received?

My first job out of college was with a small Semiconductor company. I was working in Manufacturing Operations but thought that having Product Engineering experience would benefit my career prospects. I respected very much our Product Engineering VP and asked if he would consider me for his org. He talked me out of it by explaining to me that each role/team is important and my future opportunities would be based on my contribution regardless of team. A few years later I was promoted into a Sr. Manufacturing Operations Leadership position at another Semiconductor Company, and he had moved to a different company as COO. He reached out to me and made me an offer to work for him running Supply Chain / Manufacturing. In addition to validating his advice, I consider this offer the best career complement I’ve received as I had only worked with him early in my career.