Form 8-K MKS INSTRUMENTS INC For: Oct 31

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

MKS Instruments, Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

The Board of Directors of MKS Instruments, Inc. ("MKS") appointed John T.C. Lee as Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of MKS effective November 1, 2016. Dr. Lee, age 53, has served as our Senior Vice President of Business Units since January 2014. From November 2012 until January 2014, Dr. Lee served as our Senior Vice President, Controls, HPS and PFMC. From January 2011 to November 2012, Dr. Lee served as Senior Vice President, Controls and PFMC. From October 2007 to January 2011, Dr. Lee served as our Group Vice President, CIT Products. Prior to joining MKS, Dr. Lee served as the Managing Director of Factory Technology and Projects within the Solar Business Group at Applied Materials, Inc., a global leader in nanomanufacturing and technology solutions, from February 2007 until October 2007. From 2002 until 2007, he served as General Manager of the Cleans Product Group and the Maydan Technology Center at Applied Materials. Prior to Applied Materials, Dr. Lee served from 1997 until 2002 as the Research Director of the Silicon Fabrication Research Department at Lucent Technologies, Inc., a voice, data and video communications provider, and from 1991 until 1997 as a Member of the Technical Staff in the Plasma Processing Research Group within Bell Labs. Dr. Lee holds a B.S. from Princeton University and both an M.S.C.E.P. and Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, all in Chemical Engineering.

In connection with Dr. Lee's appointment, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of MKS (i) increased Dr. Lee's annual base salary to $500,000 and his individual target bonus percentage under the MKS annual cash incentive plan to 90% of his eligible earnings, each effective as of November 1, 2016, (ii) set the value of Dr. Lee's 2017 time-based restricted stock unit (RSU) award to $500,000, and (iii) set the target value of his 2017 performance-based RSU award to $500,000 (up to a maximum of $750,000 for maximum performance). The effective date of the RSU awards shall be the date the Compensation Committee approves the 2017 annual RSU awards for MKS' other executive officers.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

99.1 Press Release dated October 31, 2016, announcing appointment of John T.C. Lee as Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Exhibit Index

(MKS LOGO)

EXHIBIT 99.1

MKS Instruments Promotes Dr. John T.C. Lee
to Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Andover, Mass., October 31, 2016 — MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ: MKSI), a global provider of technologies that enable advanced processes and improve productivity, today announced the promotion of Dr. John T.C. Lee to the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, effective November 1, 2016.

Dr. Lee has 25 years of experience in technology industries including semiconductor and solar as well as plasma processing research, at leading technology companies including Applied Materials, Lucent Technologies and AT&T Bell Labs. Dr. Lee joined MKS in 2007, and has served in leadership roles of increasing responsibility and impact within the company. Most recently, he directed the Company’s Vacuum and Analysis Division as Sr. Vice President of Business Units. He previously managed various MKS business units, including those relating to automation and control, integrated process solutions, pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, and valve solutions. Dr. Lee holds a B.S. from Princeton University and both an M.S.C.E.P. and Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, all in Chemical Engineering.

Dr. Lee will report to Gerald G. Colella, Chief Executive Officer and President. Mr. Colella said, “The role of Chief Operating Officer is critical for the company, especially as we continue to integrate the recent acquisition of Newport Corporation. I have worked closely with John during his nearly 10 years with MKS and know him to be an effective leader. I look forward to seeing his continuing contribution to the growth of the company.”

About MKS Instruments

MKS Instruments, Inc. is a global provider of instruments, subsystems and process control solutions that measure, control, power, monitor, and analyze critical parameters of advanced manufacturing processes to improve process performance and productivity. Our products are derived from our core competencies in pressure measurement and control, flow measurement and control, gas and vapor delivery, gas composition analysis, residual gas analysis, leak detection, control and information technology, ozone generation and delivery, RF & DC power, reactive gas generation, vacuum technology, lasers, photonics, sub-micron positioning, vibration isolation, and optics. Our primary served markets include semiconductor capital equipment, general industrial, life sciences, and research. Additional information can be found at www.mksinst.com.

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