Enterprise Chief Leaves Intel for Cadence

Mike Fister, who ran Intel Corp.s Enterprise Platforms Group and oversaw the launch of the Itanium microprocessor, has left the company to take over as chief executive of design tools maker Cadence Design Systems.

Fister will be replaced by Abhijit (Abhi) Y. Talwalkar, who has been named vice president and general manager of the Enterprise Platforms Group. Talwalkar previously served as the groups vice president.

Fister ends a 17-year tenure at Intel, where he oversaw the launch of the Itanium microprocessor and was also responsible for managing Intels 32-bit Xeon lines, which will add 64-bit extensions in the fall.

“I am excited about this opportunity to lead Cadence through the next phase in the evolution of semiconductor and system design,” Fister said in a statement. “As a former customer, I look forward to working with our management team and employees to further strengthen Cadences global technology leadership and the role of the entire electronic design automation industry in enabling our customers to build even more complex devices and achieve greater profitability in their markets.”

“Abhi brings extensive engineering and management experience that will be a great asset to address the needs of our worldwide customers,” Intel chief executive Craig Barrett said in a statement. “He has demonstrated solid leadership and has been a significant contributor to our enterprise business success.”

At Cadence, Fister will succeed former CEO Ray Bingham, who has been elected chairman of the Cadence board of directors. Former chairman Donald L. Lucas will continue on the board as a director, Cadence said.

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