Microchip Technology President & CEO Steve Sanghi Elected to Board of Directors of FIRST: For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology

Sanghi Brought FIRST Robotics Competition to Arizona, Founded Steve Sanghi Scholarship for Science and Technology Education

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced that its President and CEO, Steve Sanghi, has been elected to the Board of Directors of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Sanghi has been instrumental in bringing a FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) Regional event to Arizona since 2003, and joins the Board as its seventeenth member, after having served on its Executive Advisory Board for three years.

FIRST is a worldwide, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to create a world where science and technology are celebrated, and students are inspired to pursue careers in math, engineering and technology. Microchip Technology is the Organizing Sponsor and a "Leader in Technology Sponsor" of the FRC Arizona Regional. Since 2003, Sanghi has raised the funds needed to hold the FRC Arizona Regional each year, where any student participating on a FIRST team is eligible for over $8 million in scholarships. This includes the Steve Sanghi Scholarship, which Sanghi created and personally funded so that a FIRST student in Arizona can further their education in science and technology. Additionally, Microchip is an Official Supplier to FIRST and donates semiconductor and development-tool products to all 1,300 FIRST Robotics Competition teams worldwide.

"FIRST isn't just about building robots, it's about developing life skills," said Sanghi. "The kids learn skills in relationships, teamwork, finance, fundraising, budgeting and project management. This partnership among academia, the community and industry is building our future employees and future citizens. I am honored to join FIRST's Board of Directors, and I look forward to further developing FIRST worldwide and in Arizona."

"Steve has done an excellent job bringing the FRC Arizona Regional to fruition over the past several years," said Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST. "Steve talks about the importance of FIRST, as far as making science and technology 'cool' for students and creating good citizens, but one thing he doesn't mention is how he exemplifies these qualities in who he is. I cannot think of a better personification of FIRST's values and goals, or a more welcomed addition to our Board of Directors."

For more information about FIRST and upcoming events, please visit http://www.usfirst.org. For more information about FIRST in Arizona, or to sponsor a team, visit www.azfirst.org.

About FIRST

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, N.H., FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. With the support of many of the world's most well-known companies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Vex Challenge for high-school students, the FIRST LEGO(R) League for children 9-14 years old, and the Junior FIRST LEGO League for 6 to 9 year-olds. To learn more about FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.

Note: The Microchip name and logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

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Source: Microchip Technology Inc.

Released May 8, 2007