Stav Prodromou

{{Short description|Greek American businessman}} {{Infobox person | name = Stav Prodromou | image = | caption = Stav Prodromou in 2006 | native_name = Σταύρος Ευάγγελος Προδρομου | native_name_lang = el | birth_name = Stavro E. Prodromou | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1944|05|30}} | birth_place = Jerusalem | occupation = Technology executive Electrical Engineer Entrepreneur | education = Rutgers University Polytechnic Institute of New York University | known_for = Poqet PC Speak & Spell | spouse = Amity Hance Prodromou | children = 4 }} '''Stavro Evangelo "Stav" Prodromou''' ({{langx|el|Σταύρος Ευάγγελος Προδρομου}}) (born May 30, 1944) is a Palestinian Greek American businessman, and the founder and former chief executive officer of Poqet Computer Corporation. Prodromou has been CEO of Alien Technology, Peregrine Semiconductor, and Integrated Circuit Systems and Executive Vice President of Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation.<ref>[http://www.spoke.com/info/p5cQ1H/StavProdromou Spoke] Prodromou Biography</ref>

==Early years== Prodromou attended elementary school at the Lutheran Church of The Redeemer, then one year of secondary school at St. George School, both in Jerusalem. His family emigrated to the United States in 1956. He attended William L. Dickinson High School in Jersey City, New Jersey, followed by New Brunswick High School and graduated from Highland Park High School in Highland Park, New Jersey, in 1960.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117312343/stavro-prodromou-graduate-of-highland/ "Communion Action"], ''The Daily Home News'', December 8, 1960. Accessed January 26, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "Stavro E. Prodromou, 17, center, recipient of the Highland Park Fire Department scholarship at Rutgers University, looks on as Louis Figle, fire chief, presents $400 check to Dr. Mason W. Cross, president of the university.... Prodromou, son of Mr. and Mrs. Evangelo Prodrtfmou of 218 Magnolia St., Highland Park, was graduated from Highland Park High School in June."</ref>

==Education== The College of Engineering at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, was the institution where Prodromou earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1964. He continued his graduate studies at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn (now known as Polytechnic Institute of New York University) and earned a Master of Science degree in 1967 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1970, both with system science emphasis. His dissertation was titled "Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Almost Sure Sample Stability of Linear Ito Equations."<ref>[https://www.jstor.org/pss/2099587 SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics, Vol. 21, No. 3 (Nov., 1971), pp. 413–424] Publication of Ph.D dissertation</ref>

==Career==

===General Electric (1964–1975)=== Immediately following his graduation from Rutgers, Prodromou was employed by General Electric. His 11-year stint with GE began in its Missile & Space Division in Philadelphia and Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. He was selected for the Advanced Course in Engineering, a graduate program featuring rotating job assignments. The 3-year program, which was later named the Edison Engineering Development Program was more familiarly known as the ABC Course.<ref>[http://www.gecareers.com/GECAREERS/jsp/us/studentOpportunities/leadershipPrograms/eng_program_guide.jsp General Electric "ABC Course"]</ref> Prodromou later was assigned increasing engineering responsibilities with the Aircraft Engine Group in Cincinnati, Information Systems Group in Phoenix, Arizona, and the Transportation Systems Division in Erie, Pennsylvania.

===Texas Instruments (1976–1981)=== In 1976, Prodromou joined Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas, as head of the programmable calculator applications group. He led the development of solid-state software modules for the TI-59 and other programmable calculators. Later, in TI's Consumer Products Group in Lubbock, Texas, he was promoted to general manager for the Educational Products Division, known for its learning aids including the Little Professor, Speak & Spell, Speak & Read and Speak & Math.

===Mattel Electronics (1981–1983)=== Shortly after Mattel Electronics was spun out of Mattel to commercialize the Intellivision, Prodromou joined the Hawthorne, CA electronic game manufacturer as its senior vice president of worldwide operations with responsibility for research and development, software development, manufacturing and field service. During his tenure, the company developed the Intellivision II and numerous game cartridges (see List of Intellivision games).

===Fairchild Semiconductor (1985–1987)=== Following a 2-year consulting period, Prodromou was recruited by Don Brooks to Fairchild Semiconductor to head the Analog & Microprocessor Group headquartered in Mountain View, CA. The product portfolio included the Clipper architecture RISC microprocessor Later, the Gate Array Division was added to his oversight. In 1987, Schlumberger sold its semiconductor subsidiary to National Semiconductor.

===Poqet Computer Corporation (1988–1991)=== Prodromou founded Poqet Computer Corporation and recruited a small team of engineers that developed the Poqet PC. The core team included John Fairbanks, Leroy Harper, Ian H. S. Cullimore and Shinpei Ichikcawa, all of whom were later recognized with the 1989 Technical Excellence Award from PC Magazine.<ref>[https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2102141,00.asp Do You Remember?] The Technical Excellence Awards</ref> The company was funded in part by Fujitsu which later acquired it and merged it into its Personal Computer Division. The Poqet PC has been recognized as a notable milestone in portable computer history.<ref>[http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,123950-page,6/article.html PC World – The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years] Poqet PC recognized</ref>

===PADSystems (1992–1996)=== Palo Alto Digital Systems, also known as PADSystems was a design services firm founded by Prodromou and several Poqet PC alumni including Leroy Harper, which designed portable computer products for companies such as Digital Equipment Corporation, Intel Corporation, Micro Center and Zenith Data Systems.

===Integrated Circuit Systems (1997–1998)=== ICS,<ref>[http://www.secinfo.com/dvJxt.8Nm.htm#1stPage Integrated Circuit Systems Inc 10-K 1997] See pp. 9–10</ref> based in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, designed and manufactured frequency timing generator (FTG) chips (also called clock chips) that are used in personal computers, laptops, peripherals and network communication products. Following his departure as CEO, Prodromou mounted an unsuccessful proxy vote to oppose a management-led buyout of ICS.<ref>[https://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-53609512.html SEC Info] Prodromou Opposes Integrated Circuit Systems management buyout</ref>

===Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation (1999–2002)=== Prodromou was named CEO of Peregrine Semiconductor in San Diego, California, in early 1999. The company had been founded by Dr. Ron Reedy and Dr. Mark Burgener, along with partner Rory Moore, to commercialize their proprietary SOS technology. During his tenure, Prodromou raised venture capital financing<ref>[http://www.eetimes.com/news/semi/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=10814327 EE Times 05-Oct-2000] Peregrine closes financing round with $21 million</ref> and used a portion of the funds to acquire<ref>[http://www.allbusiness.com/electronics/computer-electronics-manufacturing/6510612-1.html All Business a D&B Company] Peregrine Acquires Australia Fab</ref> a wafer fabrication facility in Sydney, Australia.

===Alien Technology Corporation (2002–2007)===  In September, 2002, Prodromou was named president and chief executive officer<ref>[http://www.alientechnology.com/newsevents/2002/press091602.php Alien Press Release] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403061123/http://www.alientechnology.com/newsevents/2002/press091602.php |date=2011-04-03 }} Prodromou named CEO of Alien Technology</ref> of Alien Technology, a firm founded by Prof. John S. "Steve" Smith of the University of California, Berkeley. During his tenure at Alien, the company ramped production of its Fluidic Self Assembly (FSA) process,<ref>[https://www.rfidgazette.org/2004/04/alien_technolog.html RFID Gazette] Alien Technology Cuts RFID Tag Price</ref> secured major orders<ref>[http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=10800626 EE Times] Alien gets big order for RFID tags</ref> for RFID tags and readers from the DoD, Gillette and Wal-Mart. The Morgan Hill, California, company also raised venture capital financing to establish a production facility<ref>[http://governor.nd.gov/media/news-releases/2004/03/040308.html Governor Hoeven's Press Release] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527221032/http://governor.nd.gov/media/news-releases/2004/03/040308.html |date=2010-05-27 }} Alien Technology's Decision To Commence Production in North Dakota</ref> in Fargo, North Dakota, acquire Quatrotec LLC, a provider of integration services for baggage handling and screening systems, and open an RFID Solutions Center in Dayton, Ohio<ref>[http://www.scdigest.com/assets/NewsViews/06-02-07-1.cfm?cid=123&ctype=content Supply Chain Digest] Alien Opens Dayton RFID Solutions Center</ref> Following withdrawal of Alien's IPO due to market conditions,<ref>[http://www.informationweek.com/news/mobility/RFID/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=191800832&queryText=nixed Information Week] Alien IPO Canceled due to Market Conditions</ref> Prodromou resigned as CEO of Alien Technology.<ref>[http://dictionary.bnet.com/definition/alien+corporation.html Prodromou resigns as CEO] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100501131840/http://dictionary.bnet.com/definition/alien+corporation.html |date=2010-05-01 }} of Alien Technology</ref>

==Awards and recognition== * PC Magazine Technical Excellence Award * World Economic Forum Technology Pioneers<ref>[https://archive.today/20130416054639/http://www2.weforum.org/en/Communities/Technology%20Pioneers/SelectedTechPioneers/2004TechPioneers/index.html World Economics Forum] Technology Pioneers Award 2004</ref>

==Personal life== Prodromou is married and is the father of four sons, including Evan Prodromou, an internet entrepreneur. For the past three decades, he has resided in the Bay Area.

==Notes== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links== *[https://identi.ca/stav Identi.ca/stav] Stav Prodromou's Identi.ca profile *[http://www.inc.com/magazine/19890901/5779.html Inc Magazine] "The Littlest PC" *[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950de6dc1730f937a25756c0a96f948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1 New York Times May 14, 1989 "The Big News in Tiny Computers"] by John Markoff *[https://cdn.oreilly.com/radar/r1/01-90.pdf Release 1.0] PC Forum 28-Jan-1990 *[https://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/24/business/business-people-management-shifts-set-at-poquet-computer.html?pagewanted=1 New York Times] Prodromou becomes Vice Chairman of Poqet *[http://www.hoti.org/archive/Hoti11_program/keynote_rfid_abstract.html IEEE Hot Interconnects conference] Keynote Presentation *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110927172208/http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/354 Interview] Mark Roberti: An Interview with Stav Prodromou in RFID Journal *[https://web.archive.org/web/20100529200511/http://www.ndsu.edu/ndsu/news/magazine/vol04_issue02/mag.042004.pdf NDSU Magazine, Spring 2004, pp. 26–27 Excerpts] Alien Technologies CEO Stav Prodromou *[https://web.archive.org/web/20101008121534/http://www.acq.osd.mil/log/rfid/Summit_APR04/04-Prodromou_Brf_dod_rfid_industry_summit_8Apr04.pdf DoD Presentation] Prodromou speaks at [https://web.archive.org/web/20110613160654/http://www.acq.osd.mil/log/rfid/r_industry_meetings.html DoD RFID Summit for Industry] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060318215741/http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/2107/1/1/ RFID Journal] Tipping Point Is Closer, Says Alien CEO *[https://cdn.oreilly.com/radar/r1/06-03.pdf Release 1.0] Esther Dyson writes about RFID: Logistics Meets Identity pp. 17–19 *[http://www.secinfo.com/$/SEC/Registrant.asp?CIK=1350415 SEC Filings] Alien Technology Files S-1

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prodromou, Stav}} Category:American chief executives in technology Category:1944 births Category:Living people Category:Rutgers University alumni Category:American people of Greek descent Category:General Electric people Category:Highland Park High School (New Jersey) alumni Category:People from Highland Park, New Jersey Category:Businesspeople from Jersey City, New Jersey Category:American electrical engineers Category:American chief executives in the manufacturing industry Category:Palestinian people of Greek descent Category:Polytechnic Institute of New York University alumni Category:Engineers from New Jersey Category:New Brunswick High School alumni Category:William L. Dickinson High School alumni Category:St. George's School, Jerusalem alumni