KYOCERA International, Inc. Announces Executive Promotions
Robert Whisler Becomes Vice Chairman; Nick Huntalas Becomes President; Franklin Kim Becomes Divisional Vice President, Semiconductor Components Group
- Corporate
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. — Oct. 5, 2021 — Kyocera International, Inc. announces three promotions within its executive leadership team, effective Oct. 1, 2021.
Robert E. Whisler, a 40-year company veteran who rose through the ranks of sales to become President, has been promoted to Vice Chairman and will remain a Director. Mr. Whisler retains his position as Managing Executive Officer of Kyocera Corporation, the parent and headquarters of the global Kyocera Group, reporting to Kyocera Corporation’s board of directors.
Nick Huntalas, a 33-year veteran of Kyocera International, Inc.’s manufacturing operations who was serving as Vice President of its Semiconductor Components Group, has been promoted to President and Director. In his new role, Mr. Huntalas takes responsibility for Kyocera International, Inc.’s business operations in North America, reporting to Mr. Whisler.
Franklin Kim, a 23-year company veteran who was serving as Divisional Vice President, North American Production, Semiconductor Components Group, has been promoted to Divisional Vice President, Semiconductor Components Group, reporting to Mr. Huntalas.
San Diego-based Kyocera International, Inc. in 2021 celebrates 50 years of manufacturing ceramic semiconductor packages in the United States. Its other product lines include rugged wireless phones, advanced ceramic components, automotive components, LCD displays, optical components, printing devices, orthopedic medical components, and premium ceramic consumer products, such as cutlery and kitchen tools. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation.
Kyocera Corporation (TOKYO: 6971, https://global.kyocera.com/), the group’s global headquarters and parent, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as “advanced ceramics”). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of industrial and automotive components, semiconductor packages, electronic devices, smart energy systems, printers, copiers, and mobile phones. During the year ended March 31, 2021, the company’s consolidated sales revenue totaled 1.5 trillion yen (approx. US$13.8 billion). Kyocera is ranked #603 on Forbes magazine’s 2021 “Global 2000” list of the world’s largest publicly traded companies, and appears on The Wall Street Journal’s latest list of “The World’s 100 Most Sustainably Managed Companies.”