It has been a career of outstanding accomplishments.
Over the past 44+ years, Gordon has worked at some of the industry’s most storied companies: Mitel, NovAtel, DALSA. His entrepreneurial streak found expression as founder and CEO of several start-ups, including Goal Semiconductor, Elliptic Technologies, WideSail Technologies and Innotime Technologies. A senior role in Economic Development reinforced a cool pragmatism that grounds formidable strategic insight. In 2018, he joined one of Canada’s most foundational organizations: CMC Microsystems, as President and CEO.
Founded in 1984, CMC has been instrumental in supporting R&D, training the next generation of semiconductor professionals and creating cost-effective access to sophisticated tools and technologies essential for academic research and emerging companies alike. Without CMC, as fabs and foundries consolidated and globalized, Canada’s semiconductor sector would have struggled to prototype and test their products. This country’s proud history of innovation would have been compromised; its domestic presence diminished.
Since taking the helm of CMC, Gordon’s clear-eyed vision and deft handling of turbulence have reignited the spirit of the Canadian ecosystem. In 2024, his drive to advance the semiconductor sector resulted in FABrIC, a 5-year, $120M investment by the Government of Canada. Targeting four key technologies: Quantum, Photonics, MEMS and Compound Semiconductors, FABrIC challenges industry to demonstrate their commercial potential in both product and process applications.
Thanks to FABrIC funding from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), over the next five years CMC will be able to train and supply 25,000 students and researchers with state-of-the-art commercial design software for advanced technologies, fabricate 1,500 prototypes for its clients, and provide 66M$ of direct funding and support for organizations in the Canadian ecosystem.
Upon learning of his award, Gordon’s response was characteristic, “I am honoured and humbled to receive this award and very grateful to Canada’s Semiconductor Council. Advancing semiconductor R&D in Canada is a great passion of mine and I am fortunate enough to have worked with industry giants and emerging firms, being inspired by great colleagues at every step along the way. Since joining CMC and launching FABrIC, I am more committed than ever to help advance the entire Canadian semiconductor ecosystem with partners across the country.”
“I’ve been fortunate to know Gord for many years—as a colleague, fellow entrepreneur, and friend—and have witnessed firsthand his passion and commitment to advancing Canada’s semiconductor industry. His leadership at CMC Microsystems and, in particular, his tireless efforts to secure funding for the FABrIC initiative are a crowning achievement. This recognition as Executive of the Year is well deserved and a testament to the lasting impact he is making across Canada’s innovation ecosystem,” said Paul Slaby, Managing Director of Canada’s Semiconductor Council.
As change rips through the Canadian economy and the significance of semiconductors to 21st century national success clarifies, the importance of Gordon’s achievements cannot be overstated. His contributions have been to the entire country.