GlobalFoundries, a semiconductor foundry, today announced that its board hired Sanjay Jha as its new CEO. Jha was formerly CEO of Motorola’s handset division prior to the smarpthone maker being bought by Google. He also served as the Chief Operating Officer for Qualcomm.  

Ajit Manocha, who served as an advisor to the GlobalFoundrie’s shareholders prior to being appointed CEO of the company in mid-2011, will return to that role and will work closely with Jha on his transition.

Ibrahim Ajami, vice chairman of the GlobalFoundries Board, in a statement called Jha “one of the most respected leaders in the technology industry.” 

Jha was credited with comitting Motorla to Android and revitalizing the ailing handset division by bringing a spate of innovative new smartphones to market, including the partnering with Verizon Wireless on the Droid line. 

At GlobalFoundries, Jha will lead the company’s build out and ramp of its Fab 8 facility in Malta, New York, supporting customers at the 14 nm technology node. 

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead a company with such a strong track record in an industry that I know and love. I look forward to working closely with Ajit during the transition and with a very talented global team to continue to make our customers successful,” Jha said in a statement.