Flavio Stiffan joined the semiconductor industry in 1989 at Motorola in Geneva as system analyst supporting the Distribution Channel. In 1993, he relocated to Phoenix Arizona to drive global IT projects related to EDI connectivity with Motorola's distributors and participated at the integration of 4GL database system into the Global DataWarehouse project. He has expanded his experience into Corporate Account Management and Business Development while leading the Distribution and Partner Channel for Latin America from 1999 till 2003. Flavio relocated back to Europe taking several roles in the Distribution account management including taking the lead for Freescale's EMEA relationships with Universities, working in collaboration with Freescale's engineers and sales teams to ensure that tomorrow's engineers have the right tools to be trained for their future careers. Since his start on the University relations’ position, Flavio has overseen the coordination and set the stage for the opening of 24 teaching labs and the participation of 59 universities into The Freescale Cup Student Challenge. His drive for innovation and use of new technologies have led to the creation of a Freescale University Display Area each year at the Embedded World conference in Nuremberg – Germany. Early 2015, added responsibility for the e-tailer distribution market, leveraging its strong network in the university and education world to drive mass-market branding activities with the distribution channel. In addition, he reinforced his network with managing the NXP Global Ecosystem program strong of over 370 hardware and software partners. In November 2016, Flavio started Stiffan Consulting with the aim of promoting the linkage between the industry and academia. His consulting services include knowledge transfer activities, market strategy development for companies interested in addressing academia and innovators, management of ecosystem programs, project management of student challenges and incubators. His client list includes industry technology leaders, distributors and over 140 universities and high schools in EMEA and North America. Flavio holds an equivalency degree in Computer Science and is a specialist in global business development and brand evangelism. During his US tenure, he has been vice-chair of EIDX sub-committee for EDI standards.