--- title: The Appointment of Jan Gaudestad to CEO of Elevate Semiconductor description: ElevATE Semiconductor and Polar Semiconductor Sign Strategic Manufacturing Agreement image: https://elevatesemi.com/hubfs/blog%20pictures.png --- ###### [Partnerships](https://elevatesemi.com/blog/tag/partnerships) # The Appointment of Jan Gaudestad to CEO of Elevate Semiconductor ![Elevate Newsdesk](https://elevatesemi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/chp3.png?width=48&height=48&name=chp3.png) By Elevate Newsdesk 1 min read Feb 14, 2025 ##### Share - - [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://elevatesemi.com/blog/elevate-semiconductor-and-polar-semiconductor-sign-strategic-manufacturing-agreement-1-1&body=Check%20out%20https://elevatesemi.com/blog/elevate-semiconductor-and-polar-semiconductor-sign-strategic-manufacturing-agreement-1-1&media=https://40015187.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/40015187/blog%20pictures.png](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://elevatesemi.com/blog/elevate-semiconductor-and-polar-semiconductor-sign-strategic-manufacturing-agreement-1-1&body=Check%20out%20https://elevatesemi.com/blog/elevate-semiconductor-and-polar-semiconductor-sign-strategic-manufacturing-agreement-1-1&media=https://40015187.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/40015187/blog%20pictures.png) ![jan-150](https://elevatesemi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/jan-150.png?width=150&height=150&name=jan-150.png)We are proud to announce the appointment of Jan Gaudestad as the new CEO of Elevate Semiconductor, effective immediately. Jan has been a pivotal board member since the company’s transition under Presidio Investors starting in 2018. During Jan’s tenure as a Board member, his insights and input were instrumental in driving the growth of the organization. With the passing of our beloved CEO David Kenyon, Jan has been chosen to lead the company as CEO, building on the strategic direction set by David. Jan is determined to maintain this trajectory, ensuring stability and continuity.  We are elated that Jan has accepted the position of CEO to lead the company into the future. He comes to the team with an impressive background that includes an MBA, two master’s degrees in physics, and over two decades of executive leadership in the semiconductor industry. Jan is committed to maintaining the momentum and strategic direction set by David Kenyon, stating “Continuity is key, and the path forward is clear. We will continue on the successful course that David set for the company.” **Background **Based in San Francisco, Jan Gaudestad previously served as VP of Business Development at Wooptix based in Tenerife, Spain, a leader in semiconductor optical metrology. Before Wooptix, he focused on strategic accounts at InvenSense/TDK, working with consumer motion sensors, and spent 14 years at Neocera, managing global sales and new business development in backend semiconductor equipment. Jan holds an MBA from Santa Clara University (2009) and has two master’s degrees in Physics: one from the University of Maryland, College Park (2001), and another from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim Norway (2000). **Regards,** ![](https://www.elevatesemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/chris-p-300x67.png) **Chris Puscasiu** **Chairman, Elevate Semiconductor** [Back to List](https://elevatesemi.com/blog) [ Next Article ](https://elevatesemi.com/blog/meet-elevate-at-itc-week-in-san-diego) ### Subscribe to Our Blog ## Related Posts [![ElevATE Semiconductor and Polar Semiconductor Sign Strategic Manufacturing Agreement](https://elevatesemi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog%20pictures%20(2).png?width=900&name=blog%20pictures%20(2).png) ](https://elevatesemi.com/blog/elevate-semiconductor-and-polar-semiconductor-sign-strategic-manufacturing-agreement) ###### [Partnerships](https://elevatesemi.com/blog/tag/partnerships) ##### [ElevATE Semiconductor and Polar Semiconductor Sign Strategic Manufacturing Agreement](https://elevatesemi.com/blog/elevate-semiconductor-and-polar-semiconductor-sign-strategic-manufacturing-agreement) Feb 13, 2025 2 min read San Diego, CA, and Bloomington, MN, October 8, 2024 – ElevATE Semiconductor, a. 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[Read More](https://elevatesemi.com/blog/elevate-semiconductor-and-polar-semiconductor-sign-strategic-manufacturing-agreement-1) [![Meet Elevate at ITC Week in San Diego September 21-26, 2025](https://elevatesemi.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog%20pictures%20(1).png?width=900&name=blog%20pictures%20(1).png) ](https://elevatesemi.com/blog/meet-elevate-at-itc-week-in-san-diego) ###### [Partnerships](https://elevatesemi.com/blog/tag/partnerships) ###### [Press Release](https://elevatesemi.com/blog/tag/press-release) ##### [Meet Elevate at ITC Week in San Diego September 21-26, 2025](https://elevatesemi.com/blog/meet-elevate-at-itc-week-in-san-diego) Jun 30, 2025 1 min read You’re Invited to Elevate’s Open House & ITC Expo Showcase! September 21-26, 2. [Read More](https://elevatesemi.com/blog/meet-elevate-at-itc-week-in-san-diego) ![elevate230-white](https://elevatesemi.com/hubfs/elevate230-white.png "elevate230-white") Elevate is Empowering Customers by Pioneering the Next Generation of Innovative Semiconductor Test Solutions. [Follow us on Linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevate-semiconductor/) Copyright © 2025 Elevate Semiconductor. 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