Ali Mortazavi
Business Strategy Consultant
Ph.D. Electrical and Computer Engineering, '91
After graduating UC Davis in 1991, Ali moved to New Jersey to work for Hoechst Celanese Corporation, focused on development of high-speed optical modulators using non-linear optical polymer. This was a great continuation of his Ph.D. thesis which he completed working with Professor André Knoesen. After 4 years in New Jersey and shoveling lots of snow, he came back to sunny California and worked at Epson as ASIC design manager. His best and most rewarding career move happened when he joined Maxim Integrated in 2001 as Business Manager in charge of Consumer Products Business Unit. He worked at Maxim for a total of 19 years with ever increasing responsibilities including VP and General Manager of several business units in Consumer, Computing, Industrial, Communications, and Automotive with revenue of $600M and close to 400 people. In challenging himself with new responsibilities, in 2021, he joined FTC solar, provider of solar tracker products for large scale utilities, as EVP global Sales and Marketing. His greatest satisfaction and driving force have always been doing the work that truly makes an impact to customer/ people as well as environment.
We took a moment to chat with Ali to learn more about what technology excites him, and also to reflect on his biggest influences when he was a UC Davis student.
What research or technology are you most excited about right now, and why?
Having spent significant time in Analog semiconductor field. I see opportunities in AI driven sensors related to healthcare and remote patient monitoring.
How did your time at UC Davis impact you and/or prepare you for your career?
I learned problem solving, critical thinking, being curious about how things work, and how I can make a significant impact in what I do.
Did you have a favorite course or instructor at UC Davis?
I enjoyed device physics as it gave me best view into semiconductor circuits and how they operate.
What advice would you give to young people who are currently seeking a degree in electrical and computer engineering?
Learn fundamentals, be very curious about how things work, put yourself in the middle of action and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Mentor young talent to be their best.
Any other information that you would like to provide about your time in ECE at UC Davis?
I enjoyed the learning environment and one on one attention/interaction I received from my professors.