-
- News
- 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
Arrow Electronics Launches Engineering Solutions Center to Support Tech Innovation Across India and Southeast Asia
07/09/2025 | Arrow ElectronicsArrow Electronics, a global provider of technology solutions, announced the launch of its new Engineering Solutions Center(ESC) in Bangalore, India.
LITEON Technology Reports Consolidated June Sales of NT$13.6 Billion, Up 16% Y-o-Y
07/08/2025 | LITEON TechnologyLITEON Technology reported its June consolidated revenue of NT$13.6 billion. Thanks to the growth from power management in cloud computing, advanced server, and networking, the revenue is up 2% M-o-M, 16% Y-o-Y. The cumulative sales for January to June totaled NT$76.8 billion, up 24%, Y-o-Y.
Niche Electronics Announces Major Manufacturing Upgrade
07/08/2025 | Niche ElectronicsNiche Electronics, a leading electronics manufacturing services company, announced today that it has completed installation of Yamaha’s newest SMT lineup at its Pennsylvania production facility.
Hon Hai Reports New June Sales High Amid AI Boom
07/07/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamTaiwan-based manufacturing giant Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. reported on July 5 that its sales for June rose 10 percent from the previous year, driven by cloud and networking growth because of the boom in artificial intelligence (AI), the Taipei Times reported.
Electronics Industry Wrestles with Cost Pressures and Weaker Profitability
07/07/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationElectronics manufacturers are facing rising material and labor costs according to the Global Electronics Association’s June Sentiment of the Global Electronics Manufacturing Supply Chain Report.