Matt Flanigan Named EIA’s Interim President & CEO

The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) today announced Matthew J. Flanigan as the organization's new interim president and CEO.

Flanigan served as president of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), which represents the communications sector of EIA, for 12 years, retiring at the end of 2006. He was a member of EIA's board of governors for six years, serving as chairman in 1994. Prior to becoming TIA president, Flanigan held several positions at Cognitronics Corporation, a publicly owned voice processing equipment manufacturer, and was president and chief executive officer from 1989 until 1994.

"No one is better-suited to guide EIA at this time than Matt Flanigan," said Mike Kennedy, EIA's chairman of the board and Motorola senior vice president. "I served as chairman of TIA's board while Matt was president and I found him to be a strong and effective leader. The technology industry will be well-served with Matt at EIA's helm."

Flanigan succeeds Charles L. Robinson, who served as chief operating officer since 2004, and interim president and CEO since January. Robinson will join the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers in May as vice president for finance, operations and strategic planning, where he will be reunited with former EIA President and CEO Dave McCurdy.

"After a great run with an outstanding organization, a wonderful staff and terrific members, another opportunity has come along that I just couldn't pass up," Robinson said.

"Charlie has done a tremendous job shepherding EIA," said Kennedy. "During his tenure, the Alliance has delivered exceptional value to member companies, from strong advocacy efforts at the international, federal and state levels to outstanding business services unavailable anywhere else. Charlie will certainly be missed and we wish him all the best."