Our Founder
Founder of the ST Foundation (1936 – 2025), CEO and President STMicroelectronics from July 1987 to March 2005
Pasquale Pistorio
Founder of the ST Foundation (1936 – 2025)
Pasquale Pistorio graduated in 1963 in Electrical Engineering from the Polytechnic of Turin, specializing in Electronics. He began his career as a salesman for Motorola products and, in 1967, joined Motorola Italy, where he quickly rose through the ranks. By 1977, he had become Director of International Marketing, based in Phoenix, Arizona, and Vice President of Motorola Corporation. In 1978, he was appointed General Manager of Motorola’s International Semiconductor Division, overseeing design, manufacturing, and marketing activities worldwide outside the United States.
In July 1980, Pistorio accepted the challenge of returning to Italy as President and Chief Executive Officer of the SGS Group, the only Italian microelectronics company at the time. His determination and vision led to one of his most remarkable achievements: the successful 1987 merger of SGS with the French semiconductor leader Thomson Semiconducteurs. The result was SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics, later renamed STMicroelectronics in 1998 — today one of the global leaders in the semiconductor industry.
As President and CEO of the newly formed company, Pistorio guided ST through an extraordinary phase of growth and innovation, building a diversified product portfolio focused on high-growth applications and forging a worldwide network of strategic alliances. Under his leadership, ST became a benchmark for technological excellence and sustainable business practices.
The company’s success led to its listing on the New York Stock Exchange and the Paris Bourse in 1994, followed by the Milan Stock Exchange in 1998. Over the following decades, Pistorio emerged as one of the strongest advocates for the European microelectronics industry, helping shape its development and global competitiveness.
Throughout his career, Pasquale Pistorio was also a visionary in environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility. He firmly believed that industrial success must go hand in hand with respect for people and the planet. His conviction that environmentally responsible companies are also the most competitive became a cornerstone of ST’s philosophy.
Motivated by his belief in technology as a force for inclusion, he founded the ST Foundation in 2003 to help bridge the Digital Divide, offering access to digital education to disadvantaged communities worldwide. As a member of the United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force, he worked tirelessly to mobilize corporate engagement in this global challenge.
Upon his retirement as President and CEO of STMicroelectronics in March 2005, he was appointed Honorary Chairman, continuing to share his insights and serve as an ambassador for the company and its values. In 2007, he became Chairman of the Board at Telecom Italia, further contributing to the growth of the ICT sector in Italy.
Pasquale Pistorio passed away in September 2025, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of innovation, leadership, and humanity. His vision continues to inspire the work of the ST Foundation and all those committed to using technology to build a more sustainable and inclusive world.
Awards and Honors
1974 created “Commendatore al Merito” of the Italian Republic
1990 created “Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite” by the President of the French Republic
June 1997 created “Cavaliere del Lavoro” by the President of the Italian Republic
June 1998 decorated “Ouissam Alaouite” by the Kingdom of Morocco
November 1999 awarded Public Service Star by the Government of Singapore
December 1999 received the “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur” from the French Republic
December 2000 received the Akira Inoue Award for Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) in the Semiconductor Industry
December 2001 won the 2001 Environmental Leadership Award given annually by Tomorrow, one of the world’s most prestigious publications devoted to business sustainability issues
June 2002 voted among the top 50 “Stars of Europe” by Business Week magazine
November 2002 placed at number 1 in the “Top 25 Movers and Shakers” by Time magazine
April 2003 awarded “Prix du Manager d’Entreprise” in the “Prix des Technologies de l’information”, organized by Telecom Paris, a French telecommunications academy
September 2003 received “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Reed Electronics Group, as part of inaugural European Electronics Industry Awards
October 2003 awarded “Honorary Citizen of Singapore” by the Government of Singapore
June 2004 received “IEEE Ernst Weber Engineering Leadership Recognition” for exceptional managerial leadership
January 2005 received “Green Hero Lifetime Achievement Award” from AnalogZONE magazine
September 2005 awarded “Officier de la Légion d’Honneur” from the French Republic
March 2009 – nominated “Commandeur de l’Ordre National du Mérite” by the President of the French Republic on March 25, 2009.
April 2010 – awarded “ACE Lifetime Achievement Award” from EETimes magazine
August 2011 – recipient of the 2011 IEEE Robert N. Noyce Medal Award for Pasquale Pistorio’s ”contributions to, and leadership in, the technology, business and environmental development of the global semiconductor and electronics industry.”
May 2012 received ”Ellis” Island Medal of Honor Award for his philanthropic and humanitarian work.
In addition, Pasquale Pistorio has received honorary degrees from the University of Genoa, the University of Malta, the University of Pavia, the University of Catania, the University of Palermo, the University of Sannio, Benevento, the University Bicocca of Milan and the University Bristol UK.
Some Board Memberships
- Confindustria, the Confederation of Italian Industrialists, Vice President for Innovation and Research
- Telecom Italia, Member of the Board
- Fiat, Member of the Board
- “Comité Stratégique pour l’attractivité de la France”, a group of industry consultants to the Prime Minister’s office to create better conditions for inward investment
- Government of Singapore’s International Advisory Board, Industry Advisor
- United Nations ICT Task Force
- International Business Council of the World Economic Forum
- World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Member of Executive Committee
- European Union’s Nanotechnology Platform (ENIAC), Chairman of Advisory Council
- Conseil Stratégique des Technologies de l’Information, France
- Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Advisory Board
- European Round Table (ERT) of Industrialists
- Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing (Singapore), Member of the Board
- Agence pour l’Innovation Industrielle (AII), France, Member of Supervisory Board