Robert Burns

Biography

 Bob Burns retired in 2009 after a 35 year career with Hewlett-Packard and Agilent Technologies. Immediately prior to his retirement he served for 8 years as Vice President and General Manager of Agilent’s Nano Technology Measurements Division. After receiving his BSEE from Lehigh in 1974, Bob joined HP in Palo Alto, California, where he worked as an R&D design engineer while continuing engineering studies at Stanford University. In 1980 he helped start up a new division of HP in Spokane, Washington where he led HP’s entry into digital wireless communications test, developing products used to design and manufacture more than 80% of the world’s cell phones. After returning to Silicon Valley, Burns led Agilent into new measurement businesses in nanotechnology. Bob’s career has spanned many domains including wireless communications, semiconductor manufacturing, laser interferometers, precision optics, life sciences and nanotechnology tools such as AFMs, SEMs and fluorescence microscopes. He has led multi-discipline and multi-functional organizations across the U.S., Europe and Asia, and has successfully managed business acquisitions and divestitures. Bob is married to Lori Burns, retired Director of the Santa Clara County Partnership for School Readiness. He and Lori enjoy making wine from their small backyard vineyard and riding their tandem bicycle in the surrounding countryside and beyond. Bob’s other interests include sailing, sculling, hiking, skiing and volunteering time to community service.  Bob also serves on the advisory board of the college of engineering at Lehigh.  

Research Interest

 Management