Venture capitalist named chairman of Cirrus Logic

SAN FRANCISCO— Al Schuele, a venture capitalist and former semiconductor industry executive, was appointed chairman of the board of directors of Cirrus Logic Inc., the company said Wednesday (Aug. 1).

Schuele, who joined Cirrus' board one year ago, takes the chairman role vacated by the late Michael L. Hackworth, Cirrus' co-founder, who passed away in April.

Schuele has been a general partner since at high tech venture capital firm Sevin Rosen Funds since 2000. He is currently a director at Javelin Semiconductor Inc.

Prior to joining Sevin Rosen, Schuele was CEO of Benchmarq Microelectronics and served as president, chief operating officer and a director of the Board of Unitrode Corp. after its merger with Benchmarq. Other past semiconductor company experience includes various sales, marketing and executive positions at Cirrus Logic, Crystal Semiconductor, Cypress Semiconductor, Mostek, Motorola and Texas Instruments.

"Al Schuele has nearly 40 years of high tech and semiconductor industry experience and has already proven to be a valuable asset to the Cirrus Logic board,” said Jason Rhode, Cirrus' president and CEO, in a statement. "We look forward to Al’s continued guidance and leadership as the new chairman of the Board, building on the legacy Michael Hackworth left to Cirrus Logic."