September 16, 2024 Ken discusses his career from process engineer to Vice President and General Manager of Vermont Operations and Global Facilities, the CHIPS and Science Act and the future of GlobalFoundries’ longest operating Fab Meet Ken McAvey. Many here at GlobalFoundries (GF) know him as an engineer who now heads up GF’s longest-operating and most storied Fab. But Ken’s roots with GF’s Burlington, Vermont, manufacturing site date back almost 30 years, and his ties to the region, its technology sector and local community run even deeper. Starting as a process engineer out of college—back when the site was owned by IBM—Ken held various leadership roles until his recent appointment as Vice President and General Manager of Vermont Operations and Global Facilities. Today, Ken is focused on the future. Following the announcement of GF’s proposed award of funding under the CHIPS and Science Act, we spoke with him about the impact on America’s first and largest Trusted Foundry, the technology it will produce and what it means for the Green Mountain State. You grew up in Vermont – and have spent most of your career at GF’s Burlington Fab. What was your journey from the start of your professional life to now running this 24/7 operation? Since beginning my career as a process engineer, I have been fortunate to have had a wealth of opportunities to work in various areas of the business. My experience includes working in manufacturing, process integration, overseeing characterization and integration and handling capacity planning and Technology development. I also had the privilege of leading the GF Central engineering team, driving best known processes across all of GF’s fabs to achieve optimal results, facilitate effective knowledge sharing and foster innovation. Subsequently, I returned to the Vermont site as the Senior Director of Module Engineering. Today, I have the tremendous honor to serve as the Vice President and General Manager of Vermont Operations and Global Facilities. My success is due in large part to the support and guidance of my great mentors and colleagues, both past and present, who provided me with invaluable opportunities to advance my career. Running a GF manufacturing site sounds complex – and busy! What does your day to day like? One of the most exciting aspects of working in the semiconductor industry is that no two days are the same. While we plan our days and weeks in advance, the dynamic nature of the business means that our schedules are constantly evolving. At the core of our operations is a robust management system that ensures we consistently deliver quality products for our customers, on time, while maintaining a thriving workforce. Over the course of a week, our meetings focus on key areas such as quality, cost, delivery and team management, but the dynamic nature of working in a 24/7 factory presents ongoing opportunities for improvement and growth. As a result, our schedules and plans are constantly shifting to adapt to new challenges and opportunities. There’s so much history here at the Vermont Fab – and you’ve been part of a lot of it. As the Fab enters its next chapter, what are you most excited about following GF’s CHIPS Act announcement? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The proposed investment underscores the vital role that GF’s Vermont Fab plays in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and the industry as a whole. With a 67-year history as the country’s first Trusted Foundry, this award is a testament to the decades of teamwork and innovation that have taken place in Essex Junction. The proposed funding will drive change at the Fab in three key ways: Continuing modernization of the site, including infrastructure, buildings and facility operations. Upgrading semiconductor equipment inside the fab to increase productivity, energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. Expanding our Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, positioning GF’s Vermont Fab to become the country’s largest 200-millimeter GaN foundry. Tell us more about GaN and GF’s role in next-generation GaN chips. Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors are advanced materials used in electronics that offer superior efficiency and performance in power and high-frequency applications compared to traditional silicon. Recently, GF received a $35 million investment from the U.S. government to boost production of these chips for use in sectors like aerospace and defense, cellular communications, industrial IoT and the automotive industry. This initiative is particularly thrilling as it builds upon our legacy of innovation and highlights our facility’s ongoing contributions to the industry in making essential chips. As we work to establish Vermont as a global GaN hub, we are enhancing our team’s skills and recruiting nationally to attract top talent in GaN technology. Our collaboration with the University of Vermont is crucial. This partnership leverages GF’s technology and is a testament to our strong local collaboration. Additionally, this summer we completed the acquisition of Tagore Technology’s Gallium Nitride Power business, which includes its extensive IP portfolio and its team of GaN engineers. Tell us more about the sustainability initiatives that the proposed funding will support. Being in the Green Mountain State, we are immensely proud of our unwavering commitment to the environment. Through the proposed funding, the Fab is exploring CO2 abatement technology to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as investing in wastewater treatment facilities and solar power on-site. We are also exploring how to maximize the use of our large campus at Fab 9 for solar production and have begun the permitting process for our first phase of buildout. As we work to align our facilities with our environmental goals, this will be a continuation of the environmental leadership our Fab is providing not only across the state, but also the country. How do you anticipate Vermont’s workforce evolving in the coming years? We are deeply committed to developing our workforce and fostering diversity through all levels of the organization. Last year, 50% of new college graduates were women. Ongoing efforts to diversify our workforce are bolstered by our partnerships with universities and technical schools. With the additional funding provided by this announcement, we are poised to further drive our workforce development initiatives, attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry. For you, what has been the highlight of working with the wider Vermont community? As Vermont’s largest private, for-profit employer, we recognize the significant impact we have on the community and take our responsibility to heart. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and integrated approach to community engagement, both within and beyond our four walls. Our efforts include hosting Lake Champlain’s Chamber of Commerce kickoff, organizing employee events at University of Vermont sports outings and something that I am passionate about – sponsoring the FIRST Robotics Competition. One particularly memorable moment for me was when 23 of our team members bravely plunged into Lake Champlain to raise nearly $19,000 for the Special Olympics! The outpouring of community recognition following the announcement of the CHIPS investment to GF has been overwhelming. From congratulatory messages on LinkedIn to well-wishers stopping me at the supermarket, the support from the community and state has been truly heartwarming. It truly is a win-win for everyone. Looking forward, what is your vision for the Fab’s role in contributing to the growing semiconductor industry? GF’s Vermont Fab is a center of excellence for innovation, leading the world in 200 mm manufacturing, copper interconnects and RF-SOI technology that power today’s smartphones. With the CHIPS Act investment, GaN is set to become the next flagship example of the Fab’s pioneering work in the industry. I’m thrilled to see our site continue its legacy of innovation in the semiconductor industry through our future innovations.
