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© History Oasis/AI Image via Midjourney
Best known for Moore’s Law, Gordon Moore co-founded Intel and became CEO in 1975.
Seven years prior, he had built up the company with his long-time buddy Robert Noyce. Moore was primed to be Intel’s first CEO and move it to the next phase of innovation.
As Moore pivoted Intel’s focus more sharply towards the mass production of microprocessors, little did he know how much dominance they would eventually have in the field.
Moore built up Intel as the world’s preeminent chipmaker.
Andy Grove ascended to Intel’s presidency in 1979.
He later became CEO in 1987. He helped steer the company through the dawn of the PC age, a super intense management style.
With him in the wings, Intel capitalized on the surging demand for microprocessors. By the 1990s, Intel had become the world’s largest chipmaker, Making Grove a very happy man indeed.
Craig Barrett became Intel’s President in 1997.
Barrett came equipped with expertise in technology and business strategy, which primed him to assume the company’s role as CEO in 1998.
He guided Intel into the 21st century, and Barrett diversified the company’s offerings beyond microprocessors and helped shepherd its finances through the dot-com bubble.
Many people rightly criticize him for failing to establish Intel’s dominance of the mobile computing revolution.
Veteran Intel executive Paul Otellini had over 30 years of experience at the company before being named President and Chief Operating Officer in 2002.
Otellini took over as Intel’s fifth CEO in 2005. He was seen as a safe choice.
Otellini oversaw a period of solid financial returns. Helping to establish the company as integral to the growth of cloud computing and data centers.
Sadly, he was unable to match Intel’s early glory days in terms of innovation. However, during his tenure, Intel dominated the PC market.
As a veteran Intel engineer, Brian Krzanich leveraged his extensive technical expertise to rise and become Chief Operating Officer in 2012.
Everyone saw him as an operation guru. Somebody who could execute Intel’s strategies. He’d soon be tapped to become the sixth CEO in Intel’s history in 2013.
Sadly, Krzanich’s tenure was infested with high-profile stumbles, such as delays in new chip production.
He resigned amid controversy over a past relationship in 2018.
Bob Swan joined Intel as Chief Financial Officer in 2016 after stints at eBay and General Atlantic.
He was thrust into the spotlight following Brian Krzanich’s surprise 2018 resignation. These were sticky times, and he had to steer the ship through rough waters.
He was reluctant to take the permanent CEO job initially. Swan stepped up to the plate as CEO for the next few years.
Pat Gelsinger's return to Intel as CEO in 2021 was a fairly large shift for the semiconductor giant.
He believed in reviving U.S. chip manufacturing and restoring Intel's technological leadership.
However, his tenure saw significant challenges:
The board's confidence eroded as Intel struggled, particularly in the AI sector.
Despite securing 10 billion in government support, delays in a planned German facility further strained relations.
Faced with a board ultimatum in December 2024, Gelsinger chose retirement.
Intel appointed interim co-CEOs David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus following Pat Gelsinger's retirement.
Zinsner, who was Intel's CFO, brought 25 years of semiconductor industry experience.
Johnston Holthaus, a 30-year Intel veteran, led the company's core product groups as CEO of Intel Products.
Frank Yeary served as interim Executive Chair while the board searched for a permanent CEO.
Lip-Bu Tan became Intel's CEO on March 12, 2025, assuming full duties March 18.
The former Cadence Design Systems leader replaces Pat Gelsinger, who left December 1, 2024 and its interim Co-CEO who served a brief period.
Intel faces steep challenges: 60% stock decline in 2024, market share erosion, and manufacturing delays.
Tan brings strategic expertise rather than technical focus, with Intel maintaining integrated operations under his leadership.
He must navigate AI competition, deploy CHIPS Act funding, and restore investor confidence.
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