Coherent recruits Jim Anderson from Lattice as CEO

News | June 3, 2024

By Peter Clarke

Networking and lasers company Coherent Corp. – formerly II-VI Inc. – has appointed Jim Anderson as CEO, effective today. Anderson was previously CEO of Lattice Semiconductor Corp. Anderson also joins the board of directors of Coherent.

At Lattice was responsible for corporate strategy and achieved record operating profits and gross margins. He succeeds Chuck Mattera, who is retiring as chair and CEO of Coherent (see Coherent looks for next CEO).

“Jim’s business acumen and technical capability, coupled with his extensive experience transforming complex global businesses to deliver above-market growth and profitability, make him the ideal leader to steer Coherent through its next chapter amidst a rapidly changing market,” said Enrico DiGirolamo, chair of the board of directors, in a statement.

Prior to joining Lattice in 2018, Anderson was senior vice president and general manager of Advanced Micro Devices’ Computing and Graphics business group. He previously held leadership positions in general management, engineering, sales, marketing, and strategy at companies including Intel, Broadcom (formerly Avago Technologies), and LSI Corporation.

At the same time programmable chip company announced the departure of Anderson and the appointment of Esam Elashmawi, chief marketing and strategy officer, as interim CEO effective immediately.

The board of directors said it has started looking for a permanent CEO and will consider internal and external candidates.

Elashmawi joined Lattice in 2018. “Over the last six years, Esam has played a critical role in Lattice’s transformation,” said Jeff Richardson, chair of Lattice’s board of directors. “I am confident that Esam and our talented executive team will ensure a smooth transition for all our stakeholders.”