University of New Mexico two-time alum Kirby Jefferson was recently announced as a vice president in the Technology and Manufacturing Group at Intel Corporation and general manager of Intel's Fab 11X manufacturing complex in Rio Rancho, N.M. Jefferson is responsible for all site operations at Fab 11X, which fabricates many of Intel's state-of-the-art semiconductor products, especially for mobile market segments.

Before assuming his current role, Jefferson was general manager of Intel Semiconductor (Dalian) Ltd. — known as Fab 68 — in Dalian, China. His eight years at the Dalian chip production site spanned from initial concept to full production.

Jefferson joined Intel in 1980 as a production supervisor at the company's Fab 2 facility in Santa Clara, Calif. During his Intel tenure, he has been involved in seven factory startups, holding a variety of jobs in manufacturing and engineering.

A native New Mexican, Jefferson earned his bachelor's degree and his MBA degree from the University of New Mexico, the latter from the school's Robert O. Anderson School of Management.

When asked about returning to New Mexico, Jefferson said, "When this opportunity came about, I was very excited to come home and be a member of the Intel New Mexico team. I‘m a native New Mexican, and I want to be part of ensuring Intel New Mexico will be here long into the future."

Jefferson will succeed Dave Baglee, F11X Plant Manager, who is set to retire May 2013.