SEMI expands North America board

SEMI has added two senior industry executives to its North America Advisory Board (NAAB), bringing fresh leadership from advanced materials and semiconductor technologies into the organization’s regional strategy. The appointments reflect SEMI’s continued focus on aligning its programs with fast-moving changes across the chip manufacturing ecosystem.

SEMI plays a central role in shaping standards, policy advocacy, and supply chain collaboration that directly affect European equipment makers, materials suppliers, and chip manufacturers with strong North American ties.

New appointments to the NAAB

SEMI announced the election of Gerardo Familiar, President of Advanced Performance Materials at The Chemours Company, and Sam Ponzo, Interim President of Semiconductor Technologies at Qnity Electronics, to the SEMI North America Advisory Board. Their appointments took effect on January 14, 2026, and each will serve a three-year term.

The NAAB acts as the principal advocate for SEMI member companies based in North America, advising on SEMI Americas programs and helping the association respond to key business and technology challenges in electronics manufacturing and design. Input from the board influences initiatives ranging from supply chain resilience and sustainability to workforce development and innovation roadmaps.

“We are delighted to welcome Gerardo Familiar and Sam Ponzo to the SEMI North America Advisory Board,” said Joe Stockunas, President of SEMI Americas. “Both Gerardo and Sam are seasoned executives whose strong leadership experience will be a tremendous asset to our board. Their broad expertise in advanced materials and commitment to innovation will help drive new opportunities for our members across the semiconductor manufacturing and design ecosystem.”

Deep experience in materials and semiconductors

Familiar brings more than 25 years of global experience spanning strategy, operations, regulatory affairs, and fluorinated chemistries. At Chemours, he leads the Advanced Performance Materials business, a key supplier of high-performance materials used in semiconductor fabrication and other demanding applications. His previous roles at Chemours include General Manager of the Hydrogen Venture, Senior Director of Global Strategy and Marketing for Thermal Specialized Solutions, Investor Relations Director, and President of Chemours Mexico. He holds degrees in industrial engineering and business administration, and completed the Executive Development Program at Wharton.

Ponzo adds nearly three decades of strategic and commercial leadership, currently overseeing semiconductor technologies at Qnity Electronics. Before joining Qnity, he spent more than 25 years at DuPont, where he held senior roles including Vice President and General Manager of the Industrial Solutions business within DuPont’s Electronics & Industrial segment. With formal training in electrical engineering, business administration, and human capital management, Ponzo brings a strong mix of technical and organizational expertise.

Together, the two appointments underline SEMI’s intent to reinforce its advisory leadership with executives who understand both materials innovation and semiconductor manufacturing realities — areas that continue to shape global competition and collaboration in the electronics industry.