Watkins Joins Bridgelux as CEO

Sunnyvale, Calif.-based solid-state lighting company Bridgelux Inc. announced the appointment, effective immediately, of William D. Watkins as CEO and a member of its board. Mark Swoboda, the company’s CEO since June 2007, will remain on as president. Watkins, a 30-year veteran of technology manufacturing, joins Bridgelux after 13 years with Seagate Technology, a hard disc drive and storage products maker, where he most recently served as CEO. He also held leadership positions with Domain Technology. Watkins currently serves on the boards of Maxim Integrated Products, Flextronics and Vertical Circuits Inc.