Michael W. Foley
Encyclopedia
Michael W. Foley is an American electrical engineer, wireless expert and executive director of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group
, a consortium of over 12,000 companies who come together to create and promote Bluetooth
wireless technology.
Foley earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University
in 1992, a Masters degree from Arizona State University in 1989 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Iowa
in 1985.
Foley joined the Bluetooth SIG in March 2004 as the Executive Director. He is responsible for guiding the qualification and interoperability programs, promotion of the technology, the specification publications, and the long-term road map of Bluetooth
wireless technology.
Prior to joining the Bluetooth SIG, Foley worked with Bluetooth wireless technology and other wireless technologies as a senior wireless architect with Microsoft
. While there, he played a pivotal role in the creation and development of the wireless desktop vision and 802.11. Foley also helped shape the Bluetooth standard from its inception, as a SIG Board Member, and later Chairman of the Board from 2002 to 2003.
Under Foley’s direction, Bluetooth technology has experienced phenomenal growth and consumer acceptance. Since his arrival at the helm of the Bluetooth SIG, he has pushed through an ambitious roadmap, demanding substantial improvements in interoperability and security. In the fall of 2007, Foley forged a merger with the Wibree Forum to bring Wibree technology under the Bluetooth umbrella to create the Bluetooth low energy specification, expected in late 2009. In April 2009, Foley brought to market Bluetooth 3.0, the high speed version of the technology utilizing 802.11 radios which will allow mobile devices to provide high speed transfer of entertainment data.
Bluetooth Special Interest Group
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group is the body that oversees the development of Bluetooth standards and the licensing of the Bluetooth technologies and trademarks to manufacturers. The SIG is a privately held, not-for-profit trade association founded in September 1998. The SIG is headquartered...
, a consortium of over 12,000 companies who come together to create and promote Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
wireless technology.
Foley earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
in 1992, a Masters degree from Arizona State University in 1989 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
in 1985.
Foley joined the Bluetooth SIG in March 2004 as the Executive Director. He is responsible for guiding the qualification and interoperability programs, promotion of the technology, the specification publications, and the long-term road map of Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
wireless technology.
Prior to joining the Bluetooth SIG, Foley worked with Bluetooth wireless technology and other wireless technologies as a senior wireless architect with Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
. While there, he played a pivotal role in the creation and development of the wireless desktop vision and 802.11. Foley also helped shape the Bluetooth standard from its inception, as a SIG Board Member, and later Chairman of the Board from 2002 to 2003.
Under Foley’s direction, Bluetooth technology has experienced phenomenal growth and consumer acceptance. Since his arrival at the helm of the Bluetooth SIG, he has pushed through an ambitious roadmap, demanding substantial improvements in interoperability and security. In the fall of 2007, Foley forged a merger with the Wibree Forum to bring Wibree technology under the Bluetooth umbrella to create the Bluetooth low energy specification, expected in late 2009. In April 2009, Foley brought to market Bluetooth 3.0, the high speed version of the technology utilizing 802.11 radios which will allow mobile devices to provide high speed transfer of entertainment data.
Awards and recognition
- In 2006, Foley received the Special Recognition Award from wireless industry publication Wireless Week on behalf of the Bluetooth SIG in honor of its significant progress of Bluetooth technology in 2005.
- In 2007, Foley was awarded the Telematics Leadership Award from Telematics Update for achievements and innovation in the telematics market with Bluetooth wireless technology.
- In 2008, Foley was named a finalist in the Executive of the Year category of the EE Times ACE Awards.
- In 2008, Foley was named to the RCR Wireless Movers and Shakers list highlighting those responsible for making things happen in the wireless industry.