Chip and component developer CST Global Ltd. has appointed Kyle Kennedy as staff engineer in the sales and marketing department. “Kyle started at CST Global three years ago as a process engineering technician,” said Evan Livingston, vice president of sales and marketing. “This promotion takes him out of the production department and into frontline, technical sales. Kyle has firsthand experience of process design and manufacture of complex vertical-cavity surface-emitting, Fabry-Perot, distributed feedback and semiconductor lasers from quality testing, through to dry and wet etching, oxidation, thinning and polishing processes. Such a high level of production knowledge is proving invaluable when liaising with customers and partner companies. It not only helps us understand customers’ needs more accurately, but also allows constructive input on design at the start of projects, positively affecting cost, production time and yield.” “I am the prime point of contact for the sales and marketing aspects of the new product introduction process,” Kennedy said. “My responsibilities include developing technical specifications for new products, competitive analysis, resolution of new product introduction tactical issues, technical literature management, volume pricing, stock recommendations and regular communication with customers and staff.” CST Global provides customer compound semiconductor foundry service and a range of high-volume, standard laser products for the optical communications markets.