MACOM Elevates Leaders for Strategic Growth and GaN Dominance

LOWELL, MA – January 26, 2026 – MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. today announced the promotion of two senior leaders, a strategic move that underscores the semiconductor firm’s dual focus on aggressive corporate expansion and pioneering advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology. Stephen Ferranti has been elevated to Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Investor Relations, while Dr. Gregg Jessen is now the Senior Vice President of Advanced GaN Technology. The appointments signal a clear intent to strengthen MACOM's market position through both strategic acquisitions and cutting-edge innovation.

A Strategy Forged in Acquisitions and Investor Confidence

The promotion of Stephen Ferranti is a clear endorsement of the company’s growth-through-acquisition strategy. Having joined MACOM in 2016, Ferranti has been a key figure in shaping the company's corporate development and will continue to oversee its strategic M&A initiatives. His elevation comes on the heels of several significant moves, most notably the August 2023 agreement to acquire the radio frequency (RF) business from Wolfspeed, Inc. for $125 million. That deal, which included a 100mm GaN wafer fabrication facility, was a pivotal step in bolstering MACOM's capabilities in the high-demand GaN-on-Silicon Carbide (SiC) market.

Ferranti’s expanded role also encompasses investor relations, a critical function for a company whose stock has seen a 52% return over the past year. With a background as a Wall Street sell-side analyst and prior investor relations experience at Skyworks Solutions, he possesses a unique blend of technical industry knowledge and financial market acumen. This dual expertise is vital as MACOM communicates its complex technological roadmap and long-term investment plans to the financial community. Analysts have responded favorably to the company's direction, with multiple firms recently raising their price targets and anticipating a return to profitability this year, making Ferranti's role in maintaining this positive momentum more crucial than ever.

Cementing Leadership in Next-Generation GaN Technology

Parallel to its corporate growth strategy, MACOM is cementing its technical leadership with the promotion of Dr. Gregg Jessen. A distinguished expert in advanced microelectronics, Dr. Jessen's elevation to Senior Vice President of Advanced GaN Technology places a world-class innovator at the helm of the company's most critical R&D efforts. GaN technology is a linchpin for high-performance applications in MACOM’s core markets—telecommunications, defense, and industrial sectors—offering superior power, efficiency, and frequency capabilities compared to traditional silicon.

Dr. Jessen, who joined MACOM in 2022 as a Distinguished Fellow of Technology, brings an impeccable pedigree to the role. His career includes leadership positions at BAE Systems and as a Fellow at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), where he spearheaded the development of millimeter-wave GaN technology for radar and electronic warfare. An author of over 100 journal articles with more than 7,000 citations and the current Associate Editor-in-Chief for the prestigious IEEE Electron Device Letters, his expertise is undeniable. Placing him in charge of the advanced GaN division signals MACOM's commitment to pushing the boundaries of semiconductor performance and leading the industry's technological evolution.

An Integrated Strategy Backed by Federal Investment

These two promotions are not isolated events but rather interconnected components of a larger, cohesive strategy. MACOM is orchestrating a multi-pronged assault on the high-performance semiconductor market, combining strategic acquisitions managed by Ferranti with deep technological development led by Jessen. This integrated approach is powerfully supported by the company's ambitious capital investment plan, announced in January 2025.

The company plans to invest up to $345 million to modernize and expand its wafer fabrication facilities in Massachusetts and North Carolina. This initiative is significantly bolstered by a preliminary agreement for up to $70 million in direct funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce under the CHIPS Act. The investment is specifically targeted at expanding 150mm GaN-on-SiC production capabilities—the very technology that is Dr. Jessen’s specialty and was a key asset in the Wolfspeed RF business acquisition. This synergy demonstrates a clear long-term vision: acquire strategic manufacturing assets and talent, then empower top-tier technical leadership to innovate and scale production, all while strengthening domestic supply chains.

Navigating a Dynamic and Competitive Landscape

MACOM's strategic recalibration comes at a critical time in the semiconductor industry. The demand for high-frequency, high-power components for 5G infrastructure, advanced defense systems, and data centers is surging, creating a fiercely competitive environment with major players like Qorvo and NXP Semiconductors. In this landscape, leadership in both technology and business strategy is paramount. By promoting from within and recognizing proven contributors, MACOM is betting on continuity and deep institutional knowledge to outmaneuver its rivals.

As stated by President and CEO Stephen G. Daly, the promotions of Ferranti and Jessen reflect "the hard work and dedication of two prominent contributors and our ongoing focus on driving innovation and strategic growth and development.” This internal confidence is crucial as the company executes its complex, long-term plans. With a fortified leadership team responsible for both securing strategic assets and advancing the core technology that makes them valuable, MACOM is positioning itself not just to compete, but to define the future of the high-performance RF market. The appointments serve as a definitive statement of intent, signaling that the company is fully committed to leveraging its financial strategy and technological prowess to achieve a leadership position in the next era of semiconductors.