SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Atmel(R) Corporation (NASDAQ: ATML), a global leader in the development and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions, today announced the appointment of Walter Lifsey as senior vice president of operations. Walter will report to Steven Laub, president and chief executive officer, and joins the company as part of Atmel's renewed focus and commitment to building a world class organization.

Mr. Lifsey, 48, joins Atmel from International Rectifier Corporation where he was executive vice president of operations. Prior to International Rectifier, John was director of global marketing and planning for AMP Inc. and held operational and financial management positions at TRW Corporation. Mr. Lifsey holds a B.A. degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

"We are pleased and excited to have an executive of Walt's caliber join Atmel's management team," said Steven Laub, Atmel president and CEO. "He brings invaluable semiconductor operations expertise which will help position Atmel for profitable growth as we implement our recently announced restructuring initiatives."

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions. Focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere You Are(R).

    Contact:  Robert Pursel, Director of Investor Relations, 1-408-487-2677

Web site: http://www.atmel.com//