Episode 2 of The Chip Frontier: Florida’s Semiconductor Edge is Now Available

Posted on: October 17, 2025

In Episode 2, The Approach: Creating Florida’s Semiconductor Ecosystem, we take a closer look at Florida’s accelerating momentum in the semiconductor industry. The state is making bold moves to onshore semiconductor manufacturing, building a resilient, innovation-driven economy, with advanced packaging at the heart of this transformation.

This episode explores how public and private leaders are joining forces to shape a thriving tech landscape. With a secured facility already operational and a talent pipeline accelerating, Florida is laying the foundation for long-term growth and global impact.

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Tim Giuliani

As President & CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership, Tim Giuliani leads the public-private organization focused on advancing broad-based prosperity across Central Florida. Under his leadership, OEP has helped create over 21,000 jobs and attract $2.5 billion in capital investment. He played a pivotal role in securing $50.8 million in federal funding for Osceola County’s NeoCity through the Build Back Better Regional Challenge. Tim is a graduate of Florida State University and the University of Florida.

 

 

Paul Sohl

Paul Sohl serves as CEO of the Florida High Tech Corridor, a regional innovation initiative spanning 23 counties and anchored by UCF, USF, and UF. Since joiningin 2020, Sohl has steered programs that connect academia, industry, and economic development to catalyze high-tech growth. His leadership encompasses initiatives like the Matching Grants Research Program, Cenfluence cluster development, and STEM outreach efforts. He holds degrees in aeronautical engineering from MIT and Stanford.

 

 

Bassel Haddad

Bassel Haddad is the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Advanced Packaging at SkyWater Technology, where he leads technology development, engineering, marketing, and operations for both defense and commercial sectors. Prior to joining SkyWater in 2024, Bassel spent over adecade at Intel, most recently as VP and GM of Edge Device and AI Products, managing a multi-billion dollar portfolio and driving innovation in edge AI and IoT. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and is credited with five U.S. patents in digital communication and systems architecture.