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As director of the Alberta CREATE initiative encompassing the University of Alberta nanoFAB and ISAIC infrastructure nodes, Dr. Eric Flaim has built and expanded one of Canada’s leading open-access innovation environments for semiconductor fabrication, materials characterization, digital machining, and AI/ML infrastructure. Since 2008, he has overseen more than $75 million in operating and infrastructure funding, grown annual revenue from less than $150,000 to more than $2.5 million, and led the development of resources serving more than 60 industry partners and more than 160 academic research groups.

“Eric’s deep understanding of semiconductor technologies, and how research infrastructure can support innovation and commercialization, makes him exceptionally well positioned to help guide CMC’s next chapter,” said Gordon Harling, President and CEO of CMC Microsystems. “His experience building collaborative ecosystems that connect academia, industry, and government aligns closely with our mission, and we look forward to working with him as we continue strengthening Canada’s semiconductor capabilities and global competitiveness.”

Prior to leading CREATE, Dr. Flaim directed multiple entrepreneurial seed funding programs that provided support to startups and academic research groups, helping them secure significant follow-on investment and create hundreds of technology-sector jobs.

“CMC is critical to Canadian innovation, playing a pivotal role over four decades transforming research and commercial ideas into technologies with real-world impacts,” Flaim said. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with my fellow board members and the CMC team to expand opportunities for talent development, accelerate commercialization, and contribute to a thriving Canadian semiconductor ecosystem.”

Dr. Flaim assumes the role of Chair at a time when CMC Microsystems is delivering significant impact across Canada’s advanced technology landscape. Through FABrIC, CMC is leading a $217 million national initiative to strengthen the domestic semiconductor ecosystem, accelerate commercialization, develop highly qualified talent, and expand domestic chip design and manufacturing capabilities. At the same time, CMC’s Quantum Computing Sandbox is providing researchers and innovators with unprecedented access to quantum computing resources, helping advance Canada’s leadership in quantum technologies.

As Chair, Dr. Flaim will help guide CMC as it advances its next major initiative, DUET, which is designed to strengthen Canada’s technological sovereignty and support emergency preparedness, defence and national security, and supply chain resilience. Building on CMC’s long-standing mission of connecting academia, industry, and government, DUET will help ensure that Canada has the capabilities, talent, and infrastructure needed to develop and deploy critical dual-use technologies at scale.