Alright, Intel’s making waves again, and it’s not just about chips this time. On Thursday, March 27, 2025, they dropped a filing saying three big-name board members are saying their goodbyes this May—Omar Ishrak (ex-Medtronic CEO), Risa Lavizzo-Mourey (doc and philanthropist), and Tsu-Jae King Liu (UC Berkeley engineering dean). These folks are retiring at the annual meeting, shrinking the board from 14 to 11. And who’s stepping into the spotlight? New CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who’s already shaking things up after taking the reins earlier this month. So, what’s the vibe here? Let’s dig in.
This shakeup’s hot on the heels of Intel, swapping out Pat Gelsinger in December for Tan, a chip industry vet who’s all about turning this struggling giant around. Intel’s stock (INTC) closed at $22.71 today—down a brutal 49% over the past year, per the latest data. Why? The market’s freaking out over Intel’s hefty spending on new factories and its tiny slice of the AI chip pie. Tan’s got a big stage next week at Intel Vision in Vegas—his talk’s called “A New Intel,” and execs are itching to hear how he’ll fix this mess.
The outgoing trio’s been around the block—Ishrak since 2017 (chaired 2020-2023), Liu since 2016, and Lavizzo-Mourey since 2018. They brought healthcare and academic chops, but Intel’s pivoting hard to chip-focused expertise. Board chair Frank Yeary’s hyping the “skills, qualifications, and technical expertise” angle, with Tan front and center. Fresh blood like Eric Meurice (ex-ASML CEO) and Steve Sanghi (Microchip interim CEO) joined in December, and Tan’s back on the board too after a dramatic exit last August over clashes with Gelsinger.
What’s Tan’s game plan? Yeary’s letter to shareholders says it’s about “building on Intel’s strengths” for better profits and returns. Posts on X are buzzing—some see this as Tan stamping his mark, others wonder if Intel’s just shuffling deck chairs on a sinking ship. The stock’s been a rollercoaster—opened at $23.35 today, dipped to $22.56, and settled at $22.71 by close. That’s a far cry from its year-high of $45.41, but it’s up from the $18.51 low. Investors are jittery, but Tan’s got a rep for flipping companies (he juiced Cadence’s revenue big-time).
Next week’s Vegas gig is make-or-break—Tan’s gotta sell a vision that gets Intel back in the AI game and justifies those pricey factories. With the board leaner and techier, it’s clear they’re betting on his playbook. Will it work? I’m grabbing popcorn for this one—what do you reckon Intel’s next move should be? Drop your hot takes below!
