Alex Lidow Lidow joined International Rectifier in 1977 as an R&D engineer after earning a PhD in applied physics from Stanford University as a Hertz Foundation Fellow. Two years later, Lidow co-invented the HEXFET power MOSFET, which set the standard in power switching characteristics, ruggedness, and reliability. After serving as vice president of R&D, he was promoted to executive vice president of manufacturing and technology in 1985, and four years later he was named president of IR's Electronic Products Division. In 1992, he advanced to executive vice president of operations and became chief executive officer in 1995.