Aart De Geus

Dr. Aart J. De Geus co-founded Synopsys in 1986. Dr. Aart de Geus has expanded Synopsys from a start-up synthesis
enterprise to a world leader in electronic design automation (EDA). As
a technology visionary, he is frequently asked to speak on topics
related to the electronics industry. As one of the leading experts on
logic simulation and logic synthesis, Dr. de Geus was made a Fellow of
the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in January
1999. He was also honored for pioneering the commercial logic synthesis
market by being named the third recipient ever to receive the IEEE
Circuits and Systems Society Industrial Pioneer Award. In 2002, shortly
after transacting the largest merger in EDA history, Dr. de Geus was
named CEO of the Year by Electronic Business magazine; and in 2004,
Entrepreneur of the Year in IT for Northern California by Ernst
Young. In November 2005, Electronic Business magazine chose Dr. de Geus
as one of “The 10 Most Influential Executives.” Dr. de Geus is active
in the business community as a member of the board of the Silicon
Valley Leadership Group (SVLG), TechNet, the Fabless Semiconductor
Association (FSA), and as Chairman of the Electronic Design Automation
Consortium (EDAC). He is also heavily involved in education for the
next generation, having created in 1999 the Synopsys Outreach
Foundation, which promotes project-based science and math learning
throughout Silicon Valley.