Mike Schmidt

Inaugural Director of the CHIPS Program Office (CPO) at the U.S. Department of Commerce

Mike Schmidt: A Strategic Voice on America’s Economic and Technological Future

In Mike Schmidt, business leaders find not just a public official, but a strategic thinker who has helped shape the future of American industry and innovation from the inside out.

As the inaugural Director of the CHIPS Program Office at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Schmidt oversaw one of the most consequential industrial policy initiatives in decades: a $39 billion federal grant program aimed at revitalizing U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Under his leadership, the program catalyzed over $300 billion in total investment—unlocking more than ten dollars of private capital for every federal dollar committed. These deals are already reshaping global supply chains and the future of advanced technology.

His track record extends beyond tech. At the U.S. Treasury, Schmidt spearheaded the rollout of the expanded Child Tax Credit, delivering monthly payments to over 37 million families and lifting millions of children out of poverty. As New York’s Commissioner of Taxation and Finance, he modernized the state's revenue systems, and earlier, coordinated statewide economic development efforts across 12 agencies.

With experience that spans financial policy, technological competitiveness, and social impact, Mike Schmidt is uniquely positioned to speak to C-suites, investors, and industry leaders navigating today's turbulent landscape. He brings a rare blend of operational insight, policy fluency, and real-world results—and offers a front-row view of how Washington is reshaping the private sector.

Videos: Watch Mike Schmidt Speak >>

Past Hosts Include:

CFR
Aspen Institute
American Enterprise Institute
CSIS

SEMICON
SelectUSA
Yale Universtiy

Mike Schmidt in Conversation on Semiconductor Security: The Race to Revitalize US Chip Manufacturing | The Aspen Institute - Get Sharable Link

Mike Schmidt in Conversation on Semiconductor Security: The Race to Revitalize US Chip Manufacturing | The Aspen Institute

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Press & Media

Repealing the Chips Act risks US national security - Financial Times

With US Chips Act Money Mostly Divvied Up, the Real Test Begins - Bloomberg

Biden's Chips Team Hands Off $52 Billion Program to a Skeptical Trump - Bloomberg

Aspen Institute Discussion on Semiconductor Chip Manufacturing - C-SPAN

Here’s where the last $6 billion in CHIPS Act semiconductor award money is going - CNBC

Biography

Mike Schmidt served as the inaugural Director of the CHIPS Program Office (CPO) at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he led the implementation of a $39 billion grant program to incentivize semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. Under his leadership, CPO executed 20 final award agreements totaling $34 billion in funding, unlocking an unprecedented wave of investment in U.S. semiconductor production—generating more than ten dollars of total investment for every federal grant dollar committed.

Before joining the Department of Commerce, Schmidt led the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s implementation of the Child Tax Credit under the American Rescue Plan. The program delivered monthly payments to over 37 million families and lifted more than 3 million children out of poverty. He previously served as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, overseeing the state’s tax system and the collection of over $100 billion in annual revenue.

Earlier in his career, Schmidt served as Deputy Secretary for Economic Development in New York, overseeing policy and operations for 12 state agencies and authorities. He has also held roles in the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Domestic Finance and as a financial analyst at the Yale Investments Office.

He holds a J.D. and a B.A. from Yale University.

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