With a career spanning academia research and development engineering management and executive positions Dr. Adam Chowaniec brings a wealth of technology knowledge and leadership expertise to Zarlink. Dr. Chowaniec joined Zarlink’s Board in February 2007.

Dr. Chowaniec began his career in 1975 as an assistant professor at Acadia University and in 1976 became a member of the scientific staff of Bell Northern Research in Ottawa. From there he moved into engineering management at Nortel Networks. In 1983 he joined Commodore International where he became vice-president of technology and was responsible for the development of the Amiga personal computer.

In 1986 he become president and CEO of the semiconductor firm Calmos Systems. Calmos Systems was acquired by Newbridge Networks Corporation in 1989 and renamed Newbridge Microsystems. Under this new structure he served as both its president and as a vice-president of Newbridge Networks. In December 1995 he was the founding CEO of Tundra Semiconductor Corporation.

Dr. Chowaniec is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tundra Semiconductor Chair of the Ontario Research and Innovation Council and executive in residence at Vengrowth Capital Partners Inc. He is the past chair of the Information Technology Association of Canada board of directors. In 2005 the Privy Council of Canada appointed him to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada.

Dr. Chowaniec serves on numerous boards of directors in Canada and the United States including BelAir Networks Liquid Computing Corporation Gridway and Microbridge Corporations. An active member of Ottawa’s high technology community Dr. Chowaniec has held positions with the Ottawa Economic Development Corporation the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program and the Ottawa Health Research Institute. He is also the vice-chair of the Museum of Nature’s national fundraising campaign.

He holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Queen's University (Canada) as well as both a Bachelor of Engineering and a Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield (England). His affiliations include the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario.