MILPITAS, Calif. — August 16, 2022 — SEMI, the global industry association that unites the entire electronics manufacturing and design supply chain, today announced the appointment of semiconductor industry veteran John Cooney as Vice President of Global Advocacy and Public Policy. Based in the Washington, D.C. office and reporting to SEMI President and CEO Ajit Manocha, Cooney brings more than 20 years of public policy experience to the role. 

Cooney will oversee global government relations at SEMI, including directing strategies to manage and strengthen the association’s global public policy agenda and advocacy efforts. His work will include teaming with SEMI regional presidents to grow their government relations outreach and manage relationships with policymakers, association members and SEMI public policy committees.

“John Cooney’s deep global government relations and semiconductor industry expertise will be a tremendous asset to SEMI as we continue our work to help shape public policy in advancing the interests of our members and the industry,” Manocha said. “We are confident that he will quickly have an impact in this crucial time when governments around the world are enacting legislation and offering incentives to bolster their domestic semiconductor ecosystems and ensure the resilience of their supply chains.”

“I am honored to join SEMI at this exciting time for the semiconductor industry as countries worldwide intensify their focus on the semiconductor industry’s vital importance to the broader electronics supply chain and global economy,” Cooney said. “I look forward to working with representatives at SEMI member companies to build on the association’s work to shape government policies on trade, tax, talent, technology and other key issues to help ensure the industry’s continuing growth.”

Cooney replaces former SEMI Vice President of Global Advocacy and Public Policy, Joe Pasetti.

“We thank Joe Pasetti for his contributions to the SEMI Global Advocacy program, especially his leadership in seeking the inclusion of a tax credit for U.S. facilities that produce semiconductors or chipmaking equipment in the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act and advocating for SEMI member companies in the semiconductor manufacturing and equipment segments to be eligible for incentives,” Manocha said.

Cooney joins SEMI from SkyWater Technology, a Minnesota-based SEMI member company, where he served as Director of Government Relations. Prior to his role at SkyWater, he held several senior-level leadership roles in the U. S. Department of Commerce, including as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor for the International Trade Administration and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Operations of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service.

Cooney received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Minnesota. 

Visit SEMI Global Advocacy to learn more about public policy efforts and developments, and SEMI Workforce Development for more information on efforts to address the microelectronics industry’s talent needs.

About SEMI
SEMI^® connects more than 2,500 member companies and 1.3 million professionals worldwide to advance the technology and business of electronics design and manufacturing. SEMI members are responsible for the innovations in materials, design, equipment, software, devices, and services that enable smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. Electronic System Design Alliance (ESD Alliance), FlexTech, the Fab Owners Alliance (FOA), the MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG) and SOI Consortium are SEMI Strategic Technology Communities. Visit  www.semi.org, contact one of our worldwide offices, and connect with SEMI on  LinkedIn and  Twitter to learn more.

Association Contact   
Michael Hall/SEMI
Phone: 1.408.943.7988
Email:  mhall@semi.org