Jerry Neal, co-founder and executive vice president of marketing for RF Micro Devices in Greensboro, N.C., visited campus Oct. 30 as part of the Legends of Business series at the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. The program brings successful business leaders to campus to share their experiences with students and the community.
Neal co-founded RF Micro Devices (RFMD) in 1991. The company has become the world’s leading supplier of power amplifiers for cell phones, growing from a single office with a handful of employees to 22 offices in 13 countries, employing more than 1,800 people.
Neal has 30 years experience in the radio frequency and wireless communications industry. After starting his career with Hewlett-Packard, Neal continued his innovative work in computer technology for more than 10 years. An entrepreneur at heart, Neal founded Moisture Control Systems to support production of his patented electronic sensor that measures soil moisture for research. His company was later sold to Hancor Inc. He also spent 10 years in various marketing positions at Analog Devices Inc.
Neal’s connections with several venture capitalists resulted in the initial funding of RFMD. Neal established the image of RFMD in the marketplace and was primarily responsible for many of its key relationships in technology and sales.
Neal’s first book, “Fire in the Belly,” which he co-wrote with North Carolina author Jerry Bledsoe, chronicles the unique story of RFMD, its inception and explosive growth throughout the past decade. Neal also wrote “Built on a Rock, a Memoir of Family, Faith and Place.”
Neal plays an active role in both the business and education communities. Appointed to the board of directors at Jazz Semiconductor, Neal also serves on the board of visitors at the Babcock Graduate School of Management at Wake Forest University.
Neal and his wife, Linda, are committed to many philanthropic activities, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where he serves as a director on its professional advisory board. Neal also serves on the board of directors of Victory Junction Gang Camp, which serves seriously ill children.
Neal received his engineering degree from Gaston Technical Institute and North Carolina State University, and a doctorate in business management from Southern Wesleyan University.