EIA to Dissolve, Transfer Power to Member Associations
The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) will dissolve, it board decided by two-thirds majority vote Thursday, EIA said. EIA will distribute its assets to its four member associations: the Electronic Components, Assemblies & Material Association (ECA), the Government Electronics and Information Technology Association (GEIA), the JEDEC Solid State Technology Association, and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). EIA will also disburse assets to the Consumer Electronics Association, which split from EIA in 2005 but had an agreement to receive EIA assets if the group dissolved before 2010, a source close to the realignment said in an interview. Finally, EIA will give a “one-time dump donation” to its philanthropic wing, National Science & Technology Education Partnership, our source said. The breakup is a “victory for the member groups,” which will gain “millions and millions of dollars” in funding, our source said. EIA said it hopes to wrap up the realignment this year.
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The breakup brings a personnel shuffle. EIA Acting President Matthew Flanigan will likely go back into retirement, our source said. EIA’s Environmental Issues Council (EIC) may transfer its staff and subscription newsletter EIA Track to TIA, which would keep intact all services, dues and subscription rates, EIA said. This is not a done deal, however, our source said. ECA will take over EIA’s standards and technology function. And EIA government relations staff may transfer to GEIA, EIA said. Some employees have chosen to leave, our source said.
Though they will have no parent company, ECA, GEIA, JEDEC and TIA may still pursue cooperative efforts, EIA said. The breakup will “allow each sector to have a stronger focus on its core interest area, while maintaining cross-industry connections,” said Jim Shiring, secretary and treasurer of EIA. In addition, the Internet Security Alliance will continue to provide the four associations’ members with free access to its services for two years, EIA said.