By that time, of course, the current downturn was in full swing and even TriQuint was not immune. While a recent report from Stratgy Analytics showed how TriQuint, along with RFMD and SkyWorks, had consolidated its GaAs IC leadership in 2008 and together accounted for 59 percent of total GaAs industry revenues of $3.6 billion. However, for TriQuint, its own revenues were dropping rapidly by Q4, and the company projects a loss for Q1 this year, of as much as 26%.

Still, it's not all bad news, according to Brandi Frye, director of TriQuint's marketing and communications. In an email she wrote, "Thankfully TriQuint sells products into various wireless markets that are still growing, despite the global economic conditions, and we expect 2009 will be another record revenue year. (2008 revenue finished 21% above 2007.)"

In the meantime, the awards keep coming for a confident and ever-optimistic Quinsey. On February 6, the Oregon Council of AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association) announced the selection of Quinsey, as the 2009 Technology Executive of the Year. He'll be recognized publicly for the honor at this year's Oregon Technology Awards program on May 7, 2009 at the Portland Art Museum in Portland, Ore. Finally, today (March 4), TriQuint itself received Intel's preferred quality supplier award.

While the awards were still coming in, Quinsey sat down with EETimes/TechOnline to answer the questions as to why TriQuint has been so successful, what drives its innovation, where he sees the industry going, what lies ahead for WiMAX vs LTE and what opportunities lie ahead for the industry as a whole. His answers are food for thought:

Quinsey also stayed to answer the question as to the future of innovation, especially in a downturn. Can it continue? View his answers below: