Professor, entrepreneur, mentor

Why do thousands of entrepreneurs from all over the world seek advice from their former professor? Dr. Shelly Weinig, "the father of electronics materials," shares the business lessons of a lifetime.

Dr. Sheldon "Shelly" Weinig's Rule Breaker: An Entrepreneur's Manifesto merges science, entrepreneurship and the street-smart lessons of a lifetime in business. In 1957, Dr. Weinig founded Materials Research Corporation (MRC), a multinational company supplying sophisticated materials and equipment to the semiconductor and computer industries. Clients like General Electric, Texas Instruments and Gillette used his innovations in products from computers to razor blades. Following the explosive growth of the semiconductor industry MRC became a globalized corporation with plants in the U.S., Europe and Japan. Along the way, Shelly Weinig earned the rare distinction of scientist/business leader.

SONY acquired MRC in 1989 and following the merger, Dr. Weinig remained with SONY America for 7 years as Vice Chairman of Engineering and Manufacturing. In 1996 he accepted Adjunct Professorships at Columbia University and The State University of New York at Stony Brook, N.Y., where he continues to teach.

His course, open to both engineers and business school students, bridges the gap between academia and the fast-paced globalized world that we live in today. 

Dr. Weinig received his doctorate from Columbia University. His technological contributions to the field of electronic materials resulted in his induction into the National Academy of Engineering in 1984, and in 1988, the Government of France awarded him the rank of Chevalier dans l'Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur. 

The Semiconductor Equipment and Materials Institute awarded him the 1980 SEMMY Award for developing the critical materials necessary for the growth of the semiconductor industry and in 1990 he was elected to the International Technology Institute's Hall of Fame for Engineering, Science and Technology. 

Dr. Weinig served two terms as a member of President Reagan's Board of Advisors on Private Sector Initiatives and was a member of the U.S. - Japan Scientific Exchange Committee. 

He received an honorary doctorate of law from St. Thomas Aquinas College and honorary doctorates of science degrees from Adelphi University and the State University of New York at Stony Brook.