Tensilica Appoints Jack Guedj as New President and CEO

“Tensilica’s customizable and standard processors are used broadly by a growing portfolio of customers who realize the benefits of flexible, optimized processor cores,” said Chris Rowen. “As our products continue to be adopted by an increasing customer base, the company is experiencing significant financial and operational growth, requiring the strengthening of our leadership team. Jack’s proven track record as a successful, savvy business leader makes him the ideal candidate to lead Tensilica at this exciting time.”

Rowen’s transition to the CTO position will enable him to fully focus on driving the long-term evolution of the customizable processor technology and its use by strategic customers. As founder of Tensilica in 1997 and inventor of its groundbreaking Xtensa processor technology and design methodology, he will continue to be an integral part of the company’s growth strategy. Under his guidance, Tensilica has secured over 130 licensees with a run rate of over 200 million processor cores shipped per year.

“I believe there is opportunity for substantial growth in Tensilica’s customizable processors and complete standard IP cores, in particular, in the consumer multimedia, wireless and wired communications, and computing application segments,” said Guedj. “Tensilica’s patented, automated processor design tools help designers quickly craft the best price/performance processors, lowering risk and providing the ability to evolve the hardware via programmability.”

Most recently, Guedj was president and CEO of Magnum Semiconductor, a leading provider of chips, software, and platforms for consumer entertainment and professional broadcast. Guedj spun Magnum out of Cirrus Logic in 2005. Under his leadership, he successfully led Magnum’s growth from its founding stage through the acquisition of LSI Logic’s consumer product group. Prior to Cirrus Logic, he was president of TVIA, a leading provider of digital display processors, and he led the company’s initial public offering in 2000. He is also a former vice president of sales and marketing at video set-top box and chip supplier, Faroudja, and director of digital media/residential broadband segments at National Semiconductor. He holds master’s and doctorate degrees in electronics from the University of Paris, as well as a master’s degree in business from UCLA.

“Jack’s proven track record gives him the experience Tensilica needs as it comes of age as a major supplier of optimized processor cores,” stated Harvey Jones, Tensilica’s chairman of the board. “The combination of these two highly talented top executives really strengthens the management team for the growth the company is already experiencing.”