SAN JOSE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- May 12, 2015 -- The Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Consortium announced today that it has selected Robert (Bob) Smith as executive director, following the retirement of long-time Executive Director Robert Gardner.

"The board of directors thanks Robert for nearly 20 years of dedicated service to the EDA Consortium," said Dr. John Kibarian, co-chairman of the EDA Consortium and president and chief executive officer (CEO) of PDF Solutions. "Bob Smith assumes the role of executive director after Robert's able leadership. Over the years, Robert has helped grow the organization into a powerful voice of the EDA industry, successfully addressing many of the common concerns of EDA vendors."

Robert Gardner has served with EDAC since 1996, when he became a director and treasurer of the consortium. He was subsequently appointed to the position of executive director, and has served in that capacity since 2006. "Guiding EDAC has been a very rewarding experience," observed Mr. Gardner. "It is time for me to transfer the reins and pursue other interests in the technology sector." Mr. Gardner also is an accomplished musician, having performed at many EDA industry and other events in Silicon Valley.

Bob Smith, a seasoned industry veteran as well, joins EDAC from Uniquify, where he was senior vice president of Marketing and Business Development, and will continue as a consulting advisor. Prior to that, Mr. Smith worked at many early stage companies, including IKOS Systems, Synopsys, LogicVision, and Magma Design Automation. He commented, "I am excited to continue growing the EDA Consortium as we address the new challenges and opportunities facing the industry today. Robert and I will be working closely over the coming months to assure continuity of ongoing efforts, including the Design Automation Conference."

"We look forward to continuing to expand the work of the EDA Consortium in support of the entire industry," said Lip-Bu Tan, co-chair of EDAC and president and CEO of Cadence Design Systems. "On behalf of the entire EDA Consortium Board of Directors, we welcome Bob to EDAC."

About the EDA Consortium
The EDA Consortium is the international association of companies that provide tools and services that enable engineers to create the world's electronic products. EDA is the critical technology used to design electronics for the communications, computer, space technology, medical and industrial equipment and consumer electronics markets among others. For more information about the EDA Consortium visit www.edac.org.

The information supplied by the EDA Consortium is believed to be accurate and reliable, but they assume no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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