Manfred "Fred" J. Schindler
Nominated by the IEEE Board of Directors
Consultant
Newtonville, Massachusetts, USA
Fred Schindler has focused on the development of microwave semiconductor technology and managing engineering organizations in a career spanning nascent GaAs MMIC technology through the production of high-volume commercial products. He is an independent consultant, supporting clients with technical expertise, due diligence, and project management. He previously served as Chief Technology Officer for Anlotek, Director of RFMD/Qorvo’s Boston Design Center, Applications Manager for IBM Microelectronics Wireless Products, Engineering Manager at ATN Microwave, and Microwave Circuits Research Lab Manager at Raytheon. He has 11 patents and numerous technical publications.
He has been an active IEEE volunteer for 30+ years, including VP Technical Activities 2024, Division IV Director 2021-22, IEEE Conferences Committee Chair 2015-18, MTT President 2003. His award-winning column has been featured in IEEE Microwave Magazine since 2011. He received MTT’s Distinguished Service Award and is an Honorary Life Member. He is an HKN member and an IEEE Fellow.
IEEE is in a strong position with record membership, revenue and reserves. Our conferences have set records. Xplore in content and usage is the highest ever. This provides us with a great opportunity to do even more to support our mission:
- We have become increasingly disengaged from industry. Our products and services are compelling for academics, not for industry professionals. I will coordinate across geography, industry and technology to revitalize professional activities, including a focus on young professionals. It is through them that we will create a durable link with industry.
- Let’s empower the creativity and insights of our members and staff. We’re creating inspirational activities and building an innovation framework. We need to focus our resources for the greatest impact, celebrating success and failures, learning from both. I will work to inspire innovation in strategic initiatives and public imperative activities.
- Our investments must include improvement of our tools – digital transformation. Volunteers should not have to overcome challenging interfaces, manual process and needless complexity. We need to understand everyone that interacts with IEEE so we can better support them, communicate with them and engage with them.
- I think about the increased impact technology has had on lives and on society. We can see that the impact will be even greater in the future. That needs to be a focus for IEEE – to advance technology for the benefit of future generations of humanity. I adore my grandchildren and it is for their generation that I aspire to lead IEEE.
As IEEE Adhoc on One Strategic Investments and Public Imperative Activities Chair (2025), we focused on inspiring innovation across IEEE and enabling investment in support of IEEE’s mission.
As TA VP (2024), I focused on collaboration across TA and between TA and the other Boards. I strove to improve the TA budgeting and forecasting processes, understanding the diversity of Society/Council finances and operations. As TA SPC Chair and past VP, our focus has been in aligning with the IEEE strategic plan and developing impacts and initiatives at the Society/Council level.
I was active as Division IV Director (2021-2022), including member of the Future of Member Engagement, Strengthening the IEEE Constitution, and Election Practices and Oversight Adhocs. As a member of the IEEE Adhoc Committee on Strengthening the IEEE Constitution, I led a Working Group that revised the IEEE Bylaw I-308.2, defining the process for the review of proposed Constitutional Amendments. I also led the Future of Member Engagement Conferences Working Group and developed adopted motions, to require collection of conference participant data.
As IEEE Conferences Committee Chair (2015-2018), I improved coordination with PSPB and MGA, and engagement with conference volunteers. I reorganized the Committee to increase volunteer involvement, enhance quality oversight, and improve the nomination process. I continue to contribute to quality activities.
My International Microwave Symposium roles include General Chair (2009) and ExCom Chair (2011-2012, 2014-2015). I led an overhaul of how IMS operates, updated branding and improved financial transparency. I founded the Radio and Wireless Symposium, Chair (2006), ExCom Chair (2005-2007, 2010-2015). It remains a forum for innovation and incubating new topical areas.
As MTT-S President (2003), I led through financial turnaround. I updated governance and procedures to provide opportunities to give a voice to groups not normally represented on the AdCom. I led the creation of MTT’s Outstanding Young Engineer Award.
I have had a full and successful career in the RF semiconductor industry, serving as leader in large and small companies. I’ve had the privilege of working with a technology, GaAs, from early research through to high volume production. I founded and grew RFMD/Qorvo’s Boston Design Center with its portfolio of US$1 billion plus products. I served as CTO for Anlotek Ltd., and innovative filter start-up. I served as engineering manager at ATN-Microwave and Raytheon, and applications manager for IBM Microelectronics. I’ve been able to work with great people, hire great people, and accomplish great things with them.
Early in my career, at Raytheon, I had the opportunity to innovate in GaAs circuit design, earning 11 patents. As I developed as a leader, I gained experience in managing and motivating teams, leading large and small projects, and attracting funding to develop promising ideas. I gained experience in financial and management systems, navigating bureaucracies and politics. I developed an appreciation for how teams can innovate successfully.
I have been active in IEEE throughout almost my entire career. IEEE has been a key part of my rich professional life and successful career.
Recognitions:
2022 – MTT Society Honorary Life Member
2019 – IEEE Fellow, “for developments in microwave switch technology for radar and wireless communications systems.”
2018 – MTT Society Distinguished Service Award
2015 – Apex Award of Excellent – Microbusiness column series
2015 – MTT Society N. Walter Cox Award
Select Publications:
- Schindler, “What Have We Done? [MicroBusiness],” in IEEE Microwave Magazine, vol. 25, no. 9, pp. 18-19, Sept. 2024, doi: 10.1109/MMM.2024.3412000.
- Schindler, “Management by Walking Around [MicroBusiness],” in IEEE Microwave Magazine, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 24-26, June 2015, doi: 10.1109/MMM.2015.2410611.
- Schindler, “Is Smaller Better? [MicroBusiness],” in IEEE Microwave Magazine, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 16-18, Jan. 2016, doi: 10.1109/MMM.2015.2491119.
- Bernkopf, M. Schindler and A. Bertrand, “A high power K/Ka-band monolithic T/R switch,” IEEE 1991 Microwave and Millimeter-Wave Monolithic Circuits Symposium. Digest of Papers, Boston, MA, USA, 1991, pp. 15-18, doi: 10.1109/MCS.1991.148077.
- J. Schindler and Y. Tajima, “A novel MMIC active filter with lumped and transversal elements,” in IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 37, no. 12, pp. 2148-2153, Dec. 1989, doi: 10.1109/22.44134.
- L. G. Chu, Y. Tajima, J. B. Cole, A. Platzker and M. J. Schindler, “A novel 4-18 GHz monolithic matrix distributed amplifier,” IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest, Long Beach, CA, USA, 1989, pp. 291-295 vol.1, doi: 10.1109/MWSYM.1989.38720.
- J. Schindler, M. E. Miller and K. M. Simon, “DC-20 GHz N*M passive switches,” in IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 36, no. 12, pp. 1604-1613, Dec. 1988, doi: 10.1109/22.17391.
- J. Schindler and A. Morris, “DC-40 GHz and 20-40 GHz MMIC SPDT Switches,” in IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 35, no. 12, pp. 1486-1493, Dec 1987, doi: 10.1109/TMTT.1987.1133879.