OC 50: TECHNOLOGY

Orange County Business Journal, Apr 28-May 4, 2008

GILBERT FRANK AMELIO

Chairman, chief executive

Jazz Semiconductor Inc.,

Jazz Technologies Inc.

Born in New York, March 1, 1943

Lives in Corona del Mar

Longtime tech vet weighing options for contract chip maker.

In February, hired UBS to look at strategic alternatives. Goal: double in size to compete with bigger Asian rivals. Sale could be high on list. Acquisitions a long shot with Jazz's stock at two-year low.

Working on turnaround. Cutting costs, some jobs. Narrowed 2007 operating loss to $33 million from $38 million year earlier. Sales last year down 2% to $208 million.

In 1983, ran what would become Jazz-Rockwell International's chip arm. Steered unit to profitability after it lost money for nearly a decade.

In 1999, Rockwell spun off unit as Conexant. Three years later, Conexant split off Newport Beach chip factory as Jazz.

Jazz one of few to actually make chips in OC.

Gained fame as head of National Semiconductor in 1991, then in 1996 as shortlived Apple chief executive.

At National Semi, cut costs, returned to profitability. Joined Apple board in 1994. Left National to be Apple boss two years later. Ousted in boardroom coup in 1997, replaced by cofounder, current chief Steve Jobs (who Amelio brought back as an adviser).

Some Apple faithfuls critical of Amelio. Others defend his tenure.

Other career stops include Bell Labs, Fairchild Semiconductor.

With Apple alums Steve Wozniak, Ellen Hancock formed acquisition company in 2005 that ended up buying Jazz. Blank check company raised $173 million in 2006 public offering, paid $260 million for Jazz.

Big Apple native, grew up in Miami. Earned bachelor's, master's, doctorate in physics from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Director, AT&T. Adviser to Malaysian prime minister, economic development group. Director, trustee, American Film Institute.

Gentlemanly, modest, thoughtful. Giver to GOP candidates. New Majority member.

Advisory board member, UC Irvine's Center for Embedded Computer Systems. Longtime fellow, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Recognized in 19% by National Conference for Community and Justice for promoting prejudice-free society. Co-authored three books. Lectures frequently. Engineer. Holds 16 patents.

Air transport-rated jet pilot with 3,700 hours of flying time; doesn't fly anymore.

Funky office decor samurai sword, caricature drawing of Silicon Valley all-stars, including Jobs. Learning to master iPhone.

Wife, Charlene. Five children.

-Sarah Tolkoff

CRAIG RICHARD COONING

Vice president, general manager

Space and Intelligente Systems

Boeing Co.

Born 1951 in Orlando, Fla.

Lives in Rancho Polos Verdes

RICHARD DALE BAILY

Vice president, general manager

Combat Systems

Boeing Co.

Born 1957 in Tuislip, England

Lives in Huntington Beach

NANETTE MARIE BOUCHARD

vice president, general manager

C3 Networks

Boeing Co.

Born in Cincinnati, Dec. 30, 1958

Lives in Glendale

GARY SHIGEO TOYAMA

Vice president, Southern California region

Boeing Integrated Systems, Boeing Co.

Born in Great Lakes, III., May 9,1954

Lives in Orange · ·

Four key local executives for Boeing, county's fourth-largest employer. Three of them took current posts in February. First four-way entry for OC 50.

Cooning, top local executive, runs Space and Intelligence Systems based in Seal Beach.

In February took over from Howard Chambers, now deputy manager of 787 Dreamliner passenger jet program.

Cooning oversees 6,800 workers in five states, running company's government, commercial satellite program that includes factory in El Segundo.

Served as No. 2 guy on program after retiring from Air Force as major general in 2005. Helped government buy satellites at Air Force.

Described as extremely intelligent, methodic, organized. Quiet demeanor, high ethical standards. Maintains strict exercise regimen.

Married, two grown sons. Father flew Boeing-made planes for Air Force in World War II, Korea.

Graduated from Auburn University in Alabama with bachelor's in engineering. Business master's from University of Alabama.

Baily heads up Combat Systems, developer of military communications networks.

Took over post in February, keeps office in Huntington Beach, another at Boeing defense headquarters in St. Louis.

Oversees 1,600 employees, two projects: Future Combat Systems, working on Army communications network; Future Rapid Effect System for Britain's Ministry of Defense.

Director, Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim.

Enjoys volleyball. Wife played for several years with Association of Volleyball Professionals.

Goes by Rick. Born in northwest London's Ruislip while father was serving in Air Force.

Earned master's in mechanical engineering from UCLA. Bachelor's in mechanical engineering from University of Colorado.

Previously ran Boeing's C3 Networks in Huntington Beach.

Bouchard now oversees C3 Networks, 4,500 people in five states. Her program is working to integrate communications software for military.

Also overseeing move of more than 2,000 workers from closing Anaheim facility to Vimtington Beach.