ATI Technologies has been one of the most significant players in the graphics industry for years, with their focus historically on OEM sales. Since the release of the RADEON GPU, ATI has enjoyed success in the performance segment of the industry and overcome the doubts of hardcore gamers who felt ATI was unable to offer a reliable performance solution.

We were recently given the opportunity to talk to ATI's President, Dave Orton, about his past work at ArtX and his new role at ATI. For those of you who were anxiously anticipating a RADEON MAXX, we were able to get some information as to why the project will not go forward for the current generation RADEON. The outlook is good for 2001, though, so let's take a look at what Mr. Orton has to say...

Sharky Extreme: Tell us a bit about yourself, Dave. Where are you from, where did you go to school?

Dave Orton: I grew up in the U.S., on the West coast of Florida. It was a great place to grow up. I was a good student but my passion as a kid was playing all kinds of sports, through high school and college. I've always loved team sports - I was a catcher in baseball and a quarterback on my high school football team. I've always been into the team concept - working together for the big win. More than being any kind of star quarterback, I really just enjoyed the action, the rush of performing as a team at our optimum level, and winning. After high school, I got my Undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Economics at Wake Forest University. After that, it was off to Duke University, where I earned Master's in Electrical Engineering.

Dave Orton: I feel pretty fortunate to have landed here at ATI. This company has been a true trailblazer since the inception of 3D. Graphics is probably the most rapidly evolving aspect of computing today. Within a few short years, 2D and 3D technology has exploded, video editing, TV tuning and DVD functions have surfaced and convergence tools have emerged. If you are into technology, what better time to enjoy the wild ride in new and emerging"toys." We've seen the TV swap entertainment functions with the PC and the brains of the PC with the TV. And, of course, ATI has remained on the leading edge for years, thanks to the people and technology that make this a unique organization.