Cree, Inc. reported that Robert Ingram, vice chairman Pharmaceuticals of GlaxoSmithKline, was elected to the Company’s Board of Directors and to the Board’s Compensation and Governance and Nominations Committee beginning December 29, 2008. Robert Ingram does not have the electrical engineering background of some of the board members, but he has gained some notoriety for his role at the pharmaceutical giant.

          Robert Ingram

Cree chairman and chief executive officer Chuck Swoboda noted facing global marketing and manufacturing challenges, Robert Ingram can give an ideal foundation to help them address the opportunities Cree anticipates. The insights he brings should prove beneficial to Cree as they work toward their goal of replacing traditional lighting solutions with energy-efficient, environmentally friendly LED lighting.

Since January 2003, Ingram has served as vice chairman Pharmaceuticals of GlaxoSmithKline, a pharmaceutical research and development company in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. He previously served as chief operating officer and president of Pharmaceutical Operations of GlaxoSmithKline following the December 2000 merger of Glaxo Wellcome plc and SmithKline Beecham plc. Prior to the merger, he served as chief executive officer of Glaxo Wellcome plc and as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Glaxo Wellcome Inc. He also serves on the boards of directors of Lowe’s Companies, Inc., Allergan, Inc., and Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, and also as chairman of the board of directors of OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and as lead director of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International.