Meet Your Trusted Navigator
I’m Sonny Cave, your dedicated guide through the intricate landscapes of corporate governance, compliance and ethics, risk management, strategy and sustainability. With decades of diverse professional experience, I’m committed to helping you navigate today’s complex business challenges with clarity, integrity, and purpose.
All organizations - and the people within them - have the tools to operate effectively with the highest level of integrity to reach their fullest potential.
A Journey of Diverse Expertise
My career began with a deep-rooted passion for the environment, leading me to earn an advanced degree in plant ecology. This scientific foundation has profoundly shaped my approach to corporate governance and sustainability, merging a respect for the natural world with a commitment to ethical business practices.
Over the years, I’ve held various executive roles in the semiconductor industry, including Senior Counsel, Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer, Chief Risk Officer, Board Secretary and Executive Vice President, where I developed a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by global organizations in the 21st century.
1992 - 1997
Senior Counsel
Motorola
Key Accomplishments
Established and led Motorola’s first global Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Law Group`
Organized first, multi-provincial EHS law conference in China
Key project leader in Motorola’s highly successful acquisition of Tesla semiconductor operations in the Czech Republic
1997 - 1999
Contracts and Regulatory Affairs Director for Semiconductor Components Group
Motorola Semiconductor
Key Accomplishments
Expatriate Assignment in the finance department in Geneva, Switzerland
Key project leader for acquisition of former Tesla semiconductor operations in the Slovak Republic
1999 - 2022
Executive Vice President, Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer, Chief Risk Officer, Secretary to the Board of Directors, and Executive Advisor
ON Semiconductor Corporation (onsemi)
Key Accomplishments
Founding Executive Officer and Board Secretary
Corporate Governance Expert
Established World-Class Global Law Department
Developed and Managed Award-Winning Compliance & Ethics and Enterprise Risk Management Programs
Extensive Mergers & Acquisitions and Government Affairs Experience; Billions of dollars of Corporate Financing projects to support business growth
2022 - 2024
Chair-Elect,
University of Colorado School of Law Alumni Board
Nominating Committee, Fund-raising Committee; Admissions Committee
Board Member,
Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Moderator for Expert Semiconductor Panel Discussion during Washington DC Executive Mission (May 2024)
Board Member,
City of Mesa (AZ) Economic Development Advisory Board
Awards & Certifications
University of Colorado Law Alumni Honoree in the Corporate Counsel category, 2018
Arizona Corporate Counsel Award, 2019
Arizona State University College Leaders Award, 2020
Directorship Certification
CERT Certification for Cybersecurity Oversight
Bringing Clarity to Complexity
What sets me apart is my unique ability to unravel and clarify complex problems to make them accessible and actionable.
Whether guiding teams through intricate compliance or risk frameworks or helping executives develop successful and sustainable outcomes, my approach integrates clear, ethical insights with strategic foresight. With decades of leadership in pioneering initiatives, I excel in simplifying complexities and transforming challenges into opportunities.
Notable examples include:
- My work in the Philippines, where I addressed unauthorized community use of wastewater effluent
- And in the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic, where I negotiated indemnifications and remediation plans with the government for pre-existing groundwater contamination
- More recently, I spearheaded an emerging risk program that proactively identified significant risks, including geopolitical trade conflicts and disruptive health outbreaks, before they materialized.
My Values
Integrity
My commitment to integrity means that every decision is guided by honesty and transparency, upholding the highest ethical standards in all our interactions.
Empathy
Understanding your unique challenges and perspectives drives my approach to help devise solutions that resonate with your personal and professional goals.
Excellence
Always dedicated to excellence, I provide expert guidance that transforms complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies, navigating the ever-changing landscapes in our rapidly evolving world.
Sustainability
I help identify and integrate eco-friendly solutions into projects with actions that safeguard our planet for future generations.
Innovation
Finding creative, cutting-edge solutions is at the heart of my strategy to help you tackle today's challenges and seize future opportunities.
Inspiring Ethical Leadership
I’m passionate about inspiring a new generation of leaders who are successful in business and life, while also being deeply committed to ethical and sustainable practices.
Previous Talks
1992-2022
Delivered numerous keynote speeches on compliance and ethics and ERM at in-house conferences for Motorola and onsemi
April 2024
Expert Panel Member, National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Pacific Southwest Chapter “Boardroom Tide: Navigating Risks in 2024 – 2025”
2016
Keynote Presentation, 2016 Daniels Fund Ethics Consortium Summit
Sonny in the News
Science background gave ASU alum skills to become global tech executive
ON Semiconductor General Counsel Recognized as the 2019 Arizona ACC Corporate Counsel of the Year Award – Public Company
Using Enterprise Risk Management to Manage Global Supply Chain Risks
ON Semiconductor : Ethisphere Institute’s 2017 List of Attorneys Who Matter
With geopolitics gaining steam, Sonny Cave looks to enterprise risk management
Ethics and Compliance Initiatives Move Forward
Let’s Navigate Your Future Together
Facing business challenges? Whether you need immediate solutions or are seeking a strategic partner for the long haul or obtaining a fresh, independent perspective on key company programs, I'm here to guide you.
Together, we'll navigate the complexities of today’s business landscape, steering towards success with a firm commitment to integrity and long-term sustainability. Let’s start your journey to excellence today.