Robert Ingram Joins Cree Board

LED maker Cree Inc. of Durham, N.C., announced that Robert Ingram, vice chairman of pharmaceuticals for GlaxoSmithKline of Research Triangle Park, N.C., was elected to its board of directors and several board committees, effective immediately. Ingram has served in his current position at the pharmaceutical company since January 2003. He previously was chief operating officer and president of pharmaceutical operations at the company after the December 2000 merger of Glaxo Wellcome plc and SmithKline Beecham plc. Before the merger, he served in senior executive positions at several pharmaceutical companies. "His wealth of experience in research-intensive businesses facing global marketing and manufacturing challenges gives him an ideal foundation to help us address the opportunities Cree anticipates. The insights he brings should prove beneficial to Cree as we work toward our goal of replacing traditional lighting solutions with energy-efficient, environmentally friendly LED lighting," said Chuck Swoboda, Cree chairman and CEO.