Dr. Bell spent 23 years at Digital Equipment Corporation as vice president of research and development, where he was responsible for Digital's products. He was the architect of various mini- and time-sharing computers and led the development of DEC's VAX and the VAX Computing Environment. Bell has been involved in, or responsible for, the design of many products at Digital, Encore, Ardent, and a score of other companies. He has been involved in the design of about 30 multiprocessors.

Dr. Bell has a SB and SM degree from MIT (1956-57) and honorary D. Eng. from WPI (1993). During 1966-72 he was Professor of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at Carnegie-Mellon University. In 1986-1987 he was the first Assistant Director of the National Science Foundation's Computing Directorate. He led the National Research and Education Network (NREN) panel that became the NII/GII, and was an author of the first High Performance Computer and Communications Initiative.

Dr. Bell is the author of numerous books and papers about computer structures and startup companies. In April 1991, Addison-Wesley published High Tech Ventures: The Guide to Entrepreneurial Success, and Computer Structures with Allen Newell and Dan Siewiorek. Bell is on the boards and technical advisory boards of Ambit Design, Cirrus Logic, Diamond Exchange, Fakespace, Magnifi, Pictranet, University Video Communications, Silicon Sorcery, Vanguard Group. He is a director of the Bell-Mason Group supplying expert systems for venture development to startups, investors, governments, and intrapreneurial ventures. He is a founder and Overseer of The Computer Museum, Boston and the new Computer Museum History Center at Moffett Field.

He has received a substantial number of awards from professional organizations, and the local and federal governments.

Michael Hackworth

Chairman of the Board, Cirrus Logic

Michael L. Hackworth is a Co-founder and current Chairman of the Board of Cirrus Logic, Inc. He serves as an Advisor to Entrepreneurs for a number of semiconductor and electronic design automation based start-ups. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Virage Logic Corp. and several privately owned companies. Prior to becoming Chairman of Cirrus Logic in April 1999, Hackworth had served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the company since January 1985. Under his leadership, Cirrus Logic grew from a start-up venture to become a major supplier of advanced integrated circuits. The company's growth, one of fastest companies in the semiconductor business to reach $1billion in annual sales, was highlighted in September 1997 when Deloitte & Touche LLP and Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network announced the winners of the Silicon Valley Fast 50. Special recognition was given to the fourteen companies that placed in the Fast 50 for three consecutive years. With nearly 600 percent revenue growth over the 1992-96 period, Cirrus Logic ranked tenth in this distinctive group.

Mr. Hackworth has overseen the development of Cirrus Logic's product and technology portfolio, which today focuses on precision linear and advanced mixed-signal chip solutions for storage, communications, consumer electronics and industrial markets. With more than 800 patents issued and pending, the company continues to make major investments in R&D to reinforce its technology leadership. Over the past decade, Cirrus Logic has achieved more than 70 industry firsts with its product innovations. Many of these have set new industry standards within their respective markets.

Before joining Cirrus Logic, Mr. Hackworth spent 14 years at Signetics Corp., a subsidiary of N.V. Philips, where he held various management positions, his last being Senior Vice President of MOS and Linear Products Group, overseeing several divisions and manufacturing plants. Prior to joining Signetics (now Philips Semiconductors), he served in a number of general management and marketing and sales management positions at Motorola and Fairchild Semiconductor. All together, Mr. Hackworth has been working in the semiconductor industry for nearly 35 years.

A native of Silicon Valley, Hackworth attended Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo and holds a degree in engineering from Santa Clara University. Ernst & Young recognized his management acumen in 1990 when he was named Semiconductor Entrepreneur of the Year. He was honored again as a nominee for this recognition in 1994. In 2001, he was the recipient of the third annual Dr. Morris Chang Exemplary Leadership Award presented by the Fabless Semiconductor Association (FSA) at their 2001 Awards Dinner for his visionary contributions to the fabless semiconductor industry. Mr. Hackworth is personally active in several community activities, including University of Santa Clara Engineering Advisory Board, The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at the University of Santa Clara, The Tech Museum of Innovation, Junior Achievement Santa Clara County, the Montalvo Association, PACT, and Cultural Initiatives Silicon Valley. He has also led Cirrus Logic to sponsor such programs as the San Jose Children's Shelter, the Second Harvest Food Bank, and Joint Venture Silicon Valley. Mr. Hackworth received the 2001 PACT Leadership in Action Award, was honored as a Business Hall of Fame Laureate by Junior Achievement Santa Clara County in 2002, and Santa Clara University awarded him an honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service in 1999. Mr. Hackworth resides in Saratoga, California with his wife, Joan, who is also an active volunteer in community programs.