Jerry Fiddler Recognized as a leading figure in the analog industry, Gifford began his career in 1964 with Fairchild Semiconductor, where he eventually became the company's first director of analog products. In 1968, Gifford co-founded Advanced Micro Devices and served as the company's vice president of marketing and planning until he left to join Intersil Inc., first as senior vice president and subsequently as president and chief executive officer. In 1983, Gifford co-founded Maxim Integrated Products and served as the company's first president until 1991, when he added chairman and CEO responsibilities.