Andrew Grove: New Breed of Executive

Andrew Stephen Grove is a Hungarian-born American engineer, author and entrepreneur. He was one of the pioneers of the semiconductors industry. He was 20 years old when he left communist-controlled Hungary and settled in the US. He served as Intel Corporation’s CEO and helped make the company become one of the leading providers of semiconductors in the world.

Intel was founded in 1968 by Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore. Grove joined them in incorporating Intel and became the company’s first chief operating officer and directed all of Intel’s operations. In 1987, Grove was promoted to the position of chief executive officer.

Grove demonstrated an unusual management style. He implemented strategic decision-making, established markets for Intel’s new products, partnered with smaller manufacturers, and coordinated the manufacturing processes within Intel. The Intel Architecture Laboratory (IAL) was the handiwork of Grove. It was established to make sure the timely development of new microprocessors.

As Intel’s CEO, Grove oversaw the increase in the value of the company’s stocks by 2.4%. Consequently, Intel became one of the world’s most valuable companies. Grove spearheaded Intel in developing and promoting its microprocessors. In the 1980s, Intel’s microprocessors powered IBM’s computers including those of IBM’s competitors.

Grove gained considerable influence in the industry of modern electronics because of his work at Intel and his published articles and books. Grove earned the nickname “the guy who drove the growth phase” at Silicon Valley. Even Steve Jobs “idolized” Grove and sought his personal advices at times. In one source, Grove was cited to “merit a place alongside the great business leaders of the 20^th century.”

Grove was a recipient of numerous prestigious awards from the microprocessors industry. Among these awards were the 1987 IEEE Engineering Leadership Recognition, and the 1993AeA Medal of Achievement. He was named CEO of the Year by the CEOmagazine and Man of the Year by Time magazine in 1997.