# James Xiao

> James Xiao is chief executive officer and a director of Ultra Clean Holdings, known as UCT. He joined in September 2025 after 19 years at Applied Materials, where he led display and semiconductor product businesses. His UCT 3.0 agenda emphasizes manufacturing capacity, engineering and operational capabilities, and digital transformation.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer and Director at Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. (UCT)
- **Organizations:** Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. (Ultra Clean Technology), Applied Materials, Inc., Applied Films Corporation
- **Education:** B.S. in Applied Physics, Dalian University of Technology, MBA, Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, Executive leadership training (non-degree), Stanford University
- **Known for:** Led display and semiconductor product businesses during a 19-year tenure at Applied Materials., Appointed CEO and director of UCT effective September 2, 2025.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2006** — President of the China branch of Applied Films; oversaw operations, service and sales.
- **2006** — Joined Applied Materials through its acquisition of Applied Films.
- **2013-2015** — Managing Director/Vice President and General Manager, Display CVD Products Division, Applied Materials.
- **2015-2017** — Vice President and General Manager, Display CVD & Equipment Product Group, Applied Materials.
- **2017-2023** — Corporate Vice President and General Manager, Display Thin Film Group, Applied Materials.
- **2023-04 to 2023-07** — Corporate Vice President and General Manager, Core Product Group, Display & Flexible Technology, Applied Materials.
- **2023-08 to 2025-09** — Led Semiconductor Dielectric ALD Product Group and Metal Deposition Products/ALD business-unit operations at Applied Materials.
- **2025-09-02** — Became UCT Chief Executive Officer and a board member.

## Achievements

- Led display and semiconductor product businesses during a 19-year tenure at Applied Materials.
- Appointed CEO and director of UCT effective September 2, 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — UCT announced third-quarter results would be released October 27, 2026, after market close; still upcoming as of this profile’s October 23 research date.
- **2026-09** — Xiao welcomed Alexander Davern’s board appointment and connected it to UCT 3.0 execution.
- **2026-08** — UCT reported Q2 revenue of $644.9 million and GAAP net income of $8.7 million; Xiao outlined UCT 3.0 execution priorities.
- **2026-08** — Michael Keogh joined UCT as CFO.
- **2026-03** — Robert Wunar joined UCT as COO.

## Links

- Website: https://uct.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-xiao-a924757

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/james-xiao
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23