Thomas Sonderman BS ChE ’86, Missouri University of Science & Technology MS E.E. ’91, National Technology University Doctor of Engineering, Honoris Causa '2024, Missouri University of Science & Technology

Thomas graduated from the Missouri University of Science and Technology in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and graduated from National Technology University with a Masters in Electrical Engineering in 1991. He was awarded the doctor of engineering, honoris causa, during a Missouri S&T spring commencement ceremony in May 2024. 

Thomas has extensive industry experience included all aspects of fab operations and delivering market leadership and increased shareholder value to high-technology industry leaders Rudolph Technologies, GLOBALFOUNDRIES and AMD. Notably, he played a critical role serving as part of an executive team at AMD that spun-off manufacturing operations to form GLOBALFOUNDRIES.

Thomas Sonderman was appointed as SkyWater’s lead executive and elected to the board of directors in 2017. As CEO, he oversees efforts to maximize shareholder value through collaborating with customers, partners and other external stakeholders to drive the company’s long-term vision for the future. He has been instrumental in driving the company’s successful business transformation from an IDM to a pure play foundry and he led SkyWater’s initial public offering in April 2021.

Mr. Sonderman has effectively diversified SkyWater’s customer base by defining new product markets and target customers while simultaneously improving operational efficiencies. He has leveraged SkyWater as a U.S.- based semiconductor foundry to expand the company’s government business and to reinstate a strong commercial manufacturing presence in the U.S. He has built a world class leadership team that inspires 750 employees to deliver process R&D innovation and operational excellence. A widely recognized subject matter expert, Mr. Sonderman is the author of 50 patents and a highly sought-after industry speaker.