-
-
News
News Highlights
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueWhat's Your Sweet Spot?
Are you in a niche that’s growing or shrinking? Is it time to reassess and refocus? We spotlight companies thriving by redefining or reinforcing their niche. What are their insights?
Moving Forward With Confidence
In this issue, we focus on sales and quoting, workforce training, new IPC leadership in the U.S. and Canada, the effects of tariffs, CFX standards, and much more—all designed to provide perspective as you move through the cloud bank of today's shifting economic market.
Intelligent Test and Inspection
Are you ready to explore the cutting-edge advancements shaping the electronics manufacturing industry? The May 2025 issue of SMT007 Magazine is packed with insights, innovations, and expert perspectives that you won’t want to miss.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Ric Phillips to Take Over as CEO of Kimball Electronics as Don Charron Retires
March 6, 2023 | Business WireEstimated reading time: 1 minute

Kimball Electronics, Inc. announced the Company celebrated the retirement of long-standing Chairman and CEO, Donald D. Charron, and welcomed incoming Chief Executive Officer, Richard D. Phillips, with a market closing bell ceremony at Nasdaq on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
Commenting on the event, Mr. Charron stated, “I was thrilled with the opportunity to celebrate my retirement by ringing the closing bell. Since the spinoff from our parent company, Kimball International, in 2014, Nasdaq has been a great partner, and we look forward to that continuing. Kimball Electronics has a strong company culture, formed and shaped by our Guiding Principles, and a rich history of growth dating back over 60 years when we started building the electronics for musical organs. Today, we support critical applications in the Automotive, Medical, and Industrial end markets. In my 24 years serving the Company, I have never seen a brighter future for Kimball Electronics. With a strong leadership team, Board of Directors, and very capable incoming CEO in Ric, I look forward to the Company’s success as a Share Owner and retired executive.”
As previously announced, Mr. Charron will be retiring from Kimball Electronics on February 28, 2023, and Mr. Phillips, an accomplished executive and transformational leader across manufacturing, distribution, industrial, consumer, and healthcare, will join Kimball Electronics on March 1, as Chief Executive Officer and a Director. In addition, Lead Independent Director, Robert J. Phillippy, a member of the Kimball Electronics Board since 2018, will become the Company’s non-executive Chairperson.
In response to today’s announcement, Mr. Phillips said, “I want to congratulate Don on his incredible leadership of the Company and legacy in the EMS industry. He has been a tremendous partner during this transition, and I am excited to join Kimball Electronics, a company with a strong culture and foundation. We have a great opportunity to build on the momentum of growth and value creation that has been established, and I can’t wait to work with our people all over the world to write the next chapter of success for the Company.”
Suggested Items
TT Electronics Secures Multi-Million-Pound Defense Contract with Ultra PCS
07/18/2025 | TT ElectronicsTT Electronics, a leading provider of global manufacturing solutions and engineered technologies, announced that it has been awarded a significant new contract with long-standing customer Ultra PCS Ltd (Ultra Precision Control Systems).
Tata Electronics, Bosch Sign MoU for Strategic Collaboration in Electronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing
07/18/2025 | Tata ElectronicsTata Electronics, a leading player in the Indian electronics and semiconductor manufacturing sector, and Robert Bosch GmbH, a leading global supplier of technology and services, announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on several key areas within the electronics and semiconductor industries.
Microchip Enters into Partnership Agreement with Delta Electronics on Silicon Carbide Solutions
07/18/2025 | Globe NewswireThe growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the electrification of everything are driving an ever-increasing demand for higher levels of power efficiency and reliability.
Hyliion Awarded U.S. Navy Contract to Advance Multi-Unit KARNO Power Module
07/18/2025 | BUSINESS WIREHyliion Holdings Corp., a leading provider of innovative KARNOTM Power Modules, announced it has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract in the amount of $1.5 million from the U.S. Navy to further develop and refine its scalable multi-megawatt platform for shipboard and stationary military applications.
Libra Industries Launches In-House High Precision Underfill Capabilities
07/17/2025 | Libra IndustriesLibra Industries, a leading provider of systems integration and electronics manufacturing services (EMS), is excited to announce the addition of high-precision underfill to its in‑house manufacturing capabilities.