Autumn 1999 Yield Management Solutions 5

S E C T I O N S

This past July, KLA-Tencor announcedkey promotions within its executivemanagement ranks: the appointmentof Ken Schroeder to CEO and GaryDickerson to COO. Ken Levy, former-ly CEO has become the company’schairman, replacing Jon Tompkinswho has retired but will continue toserve on KLA-Tencor’s board. Thesetransitions reflect a strategic succes-sion plan developed to ensure optimalleadership for the company in thecoming years. Levy noted, “As wecontinue to grow and expand in keep-ing with our customers’ changingneeds, we are also working to evolveour organization and develop theleaders of the future.” By promotingSchroeder and Dickerson, two long-time company veterans, the companyhas begun a transition to the next gen-eration of management that willensure smooth execution of the com-pany’s established strategic direction.

Delivering valueSchroeder believes in taking a strongcustomer-value approach in develop-ing and prioritizing corporate goals.“It is our job to understand our cus-tomers’ challenges and to deliver theyield management and process con-trol solutions they need to be success-ful,” he stated. “Our customers mustimplement accelerated technologyroadmaps to remain competitive intoday’s global market. In such a fast-paced environment, defect reductionand process control strategiesbecome critical enablers. By facilitat-ing the development and productionramp of new technologies, we canhelp speed time-to-market andincrease fab profitability.”

Leading KLA-Tencor intothe 21st Century

Over the past few years, Schroederhas led his team in putting in placeengineering, marketing and customersupport strategies to foster close cus-tomer relationships and enhancerapid technological development.He has placed particular emphasison cross-company synergies — push-ing to combine the company’s hard-ware, software and expertise intoprocess module control (PMC) solu-tions tailored to customers’ needs incritical areas such as copper inter-connect. As CEO, Schroeder willcontinue working with KLA-Tencorteams to build on these strengths, aswell as seeking new opportunities forgrowth.

Long-term perspectiveBoth Schroeder and Dickerson havebeen instrumental in developing thecompany’s strengths and strategicdirection. Their insights and perspec-tives, acquired over their long tenuresat KLA-Tencor, will be invaluable in

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moving the company towards itsgoals. Schroeder first joined KLA in1979 as vice president of operations.After leaving in 1987 to pursue otherinterests, he returned in 1991 as pres-ident and COO, and has played avital role in the company’s growth from$150 million to more than $1 billionin revenues.

Dickerson has served in a variety ofmanagement roles during his 13 yearswith the company. He ran KLA-Tencor’ssingle largest division — wafer inspec-tion — and oversaw the formation ofthe yield management group whichunited sales, technical support andconsulting services.

Together with theirmanagement team,many of whom arealso long-standinge m p l o y e e s ,Schroeder andDickerson bring to the company’sleadership a pow-erful combination of long-term per-spective, dedication to the customerand vital new energy — all essentialassets for KLA-Tencor in the 21st century.

Gary Dickerson, COO.

Ken Schroeder, CEO.