Keith Evans (Ph.D.)

Dr. Keith R. Evans has held a number of key executive positions in the compound semiconductor industry which span the supply chain including substrates, epitaxial growth, epitaxial growth equipment, and diode lasers.

Evans began his career at US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) where he built a world-class research group and co-authored over 200 publications on compound semiconductor materials and devices.  He went on to be Manager Crystal Growth for Semiconductor Laser International, VP Operations and New Technologies at QED/IQE, VP Advanced Technology at Veeco-St. Paul, and Chief Operating and Marketing Officer for Crystal-IS.

He has a strong track record in venture funding, strategic partnerships, government funding, strategic planning, quality management, and mergers and acquisitions, including the merger between QED and EPI to form IQE plc - the world's largest supplier of compound semiconductor epiwafers.

William Pratt

Founder, Chief Technical Officer and Chairman, RF Micro Devices (RFMD)

William Pratt has over 30 years of experience working in the Electronics industry. He began his career designing radar equipment for RCA Corporation prior to becoming a Senior Engineer at Computer Labs, which was later acquired by Analog Devices, Inc (ADI).

Pratt accumulated 15 years of technical management experience, which led to his appointment as Division General Manager for ADI. In 1991, Pratt founded RFMD and was responsible for developing all business concepts and strategies, as well as managing all of the engineering functions related to product development.

He holds patents on the company's HBT Power Amplifier circuits, which constitute a large share of the RF Micro's business and continues to serve as the company's Chief Technical Officer and Chairman of the Board.