This is a live, online tribute to Howard High, chief spokesman for Intel, who is retiring from the world's largest chipmaker. Howard won't be gone for long though, I'm betting he'll be back in Silicon Valley within a few months, waist deep in setting up one of the most important ventures we've ever seen.

For myself, his retirement strikes an important note in my life because Howard's name has been a familiar part of my everyday world for 25 years. Because that's how long I've been covering US technology companies as a reporter for London-based magazines, and then the Financial Times. It seemed that on every important Intel press release, the contact information always listed Howard High.

And as a young reporter in London, it was sometimes intimidating for me to call Silicon Valley, and try to hold a smart and educated discussion. But Howard was always patient, and took a lot of time to educate me on the science and the chemistry of semiconductors.

In fact, talking with Howard I realized that I have a University degree in Chemistry from London University! Strangely, I tended to forget this fact because my chemistry education was sublimated by my other experiences--but now, chemistry became relevant again.

Anyway, I have lots more to write about Howard and how wonderful he is. And please use the comments section of this page to leave your message, article, photo, whatever. We'll evolve this page further, and after a while we can combine the material into a Wikipedia entry.

I look forward to your involvement in this live online tribute...

Here is part of a bio I found from the Hartford-Institute where Howard has been featured as a guest speaker:

Mr. High has held a variety of positions covering company products (i.e. microprocessor products) and corporate capabilities (i.e. chip design, sub-micron VLSI manufacturing, environmental, health and safety, and financial issues). He has worked with business, broadcast, trade, and foreign press in addition to industry analysts, financial analysts and government officials over the years. He has significant international experience.

Mr. High has served as Intel's representative on the Semiconductor Industry Association's (SIA) Communications Committee for the past decade and a half - serving as that committee's chairman during 1993 and 1994.

He is a graduate of California State University, Hayward. Mr. High received a B.A Degree, Cum Laude, in 1976. In 1998, Mr. High was named one of Upside Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of the Digital World.

Mr. High is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of California State University, Hayward's Educational Foundation and will speak to everyone as an integral part of the CSUH educational community.

Here is Tom Abate, San Francisco Chronicle's veteran business reporter:

From a recent article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=19&entry_id=3953

Intel Corp. spokesman Howard High retires today after 27 years of fielding questions from tech reporters like me. Obviously the chip giant has prospered through far more important turnovers, starting with the passing of its guiding light, Robert Noyce.

But the character of a big company is a many-faceted jewel that is cut, in part, by the interactions of its public relations staff and an often-skeptical press corps. I've dealt with Intel on tough stories over the years. Howard High always set the standard of behavior for the PR side of the news divide.

Big ideas like Silicon Valley are like mosaics assembled by many little hands. One of those honored old hands steps out of the game today. It's only fitting that those of us who remain send best wishes his way.