Michael W. Pippins – President and Chief Executive Officer
Michael has over 28 years of management experience leading business growth for Semiconductor Equipment and related companies. He founded Persimmon Technologies in 2010 to serve the next generation requirements in vacuum robotic solutions. Michael previously held management positions with Brooks Automation, Varian Semiconductor Equipment, ASM Ion Implant, and Leybold Heraeus. He most recently held the position of President for the ASD Division of Brooks Automation which he led the company’s automation growth from $6M to over $300M in revenues, raised over $600M in IPO and secondary offerings, negotiated, closed, and integrated 9 acquisitions, and held board seats on joint ventures with Samsung in Korea and Yaskawa in Japan. Michael was also granted 4 patents in robotics and automation systems while serving at Brooks. He received his Certificate of Special Studies in Business Administration at Harvard University, subsequent to his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with High Honors at Southern Polytechnic State University.
Dr. Martin Hosek – Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Martin is an engineering expert with over 20 years of experience in innovation, business-oriented technology and product development. Prior to co-founding Persimmon Technologies, Martin was affiliated with Brooks Automation, a worldwide provider of automation and vacuum solutions to the semiconductor industry and adjacent markets. As Vice President of Hardware Engineering and Technology, he was responsible for technical development and continuous improvement of a broad range of products, including robotic manipulators, cryogenic solutions and control systems. Earlier in his career, he made scientific and technical contributions to the areas of vibration suppression, control design and computer assisted learning. He has authored over 40 journal and conference publications, contributed to a mechanical design handbook, and holds 12 patents with more than 20 additional patents pending. Martin earned a Ph.D. degree in Dynamics and Control from the University of Connecticut followed by a Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Systems from the Czech Technical University in Prague. He is an inductee to the Academy of Distinguished Engineers and Hall of Fame at the University of Connecticut.
Mark Hanna – Vice President, Sales
As part of Persimmon’s management team, Mark is responsible for business development and growth for Persimmon Technologies in North America, including sales of Nidec Sankyo robotic products. Previously, he was Vice President of Sales at Millennial Net Inc., where he was responsible for developing international sales strategies and channels for its wireless energy management products. Prior to this, Mark worked over 18 years in the semiconductor industry, mostly with Brooks Automation as Director of Sales for Domestic and International OEM business. In 2006, Mark held the position of Director of International Business Development at Brooks Automation where he helped grow its tool automation business, and managed sales operations for its joint venture with Yaskawa in Japan. Mark has over 25 years of sales and sales management experience selling both hardware and software solutions for factory and equipment automation. His work at Brooks contributed to achieving record growth of over $450 million in sales for tool automation. Prior to his tenure at Brooks, Mark held sales management positions for a small successful equipment controls company. Mark received his Masters of Science degree in Physics from the University of British Columbia following his Bachelor’s degree with Distinction from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.
