Lyle Smith is an accomplished technology leader with extensive experience as an engineering executive, leading the development of advanced electronic hardware and software systems. Throughout his career, he led the development of simulation acceleration hardware, system emulation platforms, and FPGA product lines from the ground up, combining deep expertise in semiconductor design, electronic design automation (EDA) tools, and hardware and software development.

Prior to retiring from his position as VP of Engineering at Microsemi Corporation, he led a one hundred-person multinational engineering team designing and producing an industry-leading flash-based FPGA family.

For a number of years, Lyle taught at Stanford University as an Adjunct Lecturer in the Product Realization Lab, teaching students how to integrate electronics into their product designs.

Lyle was introduced to the Sierra Nevada as a boy with his family on Sierra Club outings for many years, exploring Yosemite and the JMT region. He and his spouse Diane are active outdoors people; Lyle focused on cycling and hiking.

Lyle holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, and a B.A. in Electrical Engineering/Physics from the University of California, San Diego.