Gary E. Dickerson

Gary E. Dickerson (born 1957) is a business leader in the semiconductor industry. He is best known for his position as CEO of Applied Materials and as an advocate for the sustainable development of the semiconductor industry and environmental responsibility.

Early life and education Dickerson was born in 1957 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri, Rolla, and an MBA from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. Time’s 100 Most Innovative Companies (2023), Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies (2022, 2023), IBD’s Best ESG Companies (2023), HRC Equality 100 Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion (2023–24), Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work (2024), and the U.S. Department of Labor Gold Award (HIREVets).

In May 2023, Applied Materials announced a plan to invest up to $4 billion to create the EPIC Center, a new R&D facility dedicated to semiconductor equipment and processes. Dickerson stated that the project is needed to help overcome new technical challenges and maintain the pace of chip advancement.

His total compensation for 2023 was: $27,000,000.

Awards and recognition Dickerson was recognized as one of Barron’s World’s Best CEOs in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

In 2020, Dickerson signed the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion Pledge in support of more inclusive workplaces.

In 2023, Dickerson was recognized for the SEMI Sustainability Excellence Award for his contributions behind the semiconductor industry’s Net Zero target through Applied's ESG work. He was also recognized by Forbes as one of America's Most Innovative Leaders in 2019, and by Harvard Business Review as one of the Best Performing CEOs in the World.

In 2024, Dickerson was awarded the Public Service Star (Distinguished Friends of Singapore) by Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, for his contributions to their local ecosystem through the creation of jobs and business opportunities.

Philanthropy and community involvement Dickerson currently serves on the Industry Advisory Council of Singapore’s Economic Development Board.