Rittener Reflections

One year ago today, I testified before the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. I was still with Intel. The topic: export controls, diversion risk, and the role of U.S. technology in global conflict. This week on my podcast, I’m telling the story—not of what I said, but of what it meant. It’s about showing up when the stakes are high.

For this episode, I revisit the topic of layoffs. Many individuals globally are affected by decisions made by corporations and governments to reduce their workforce. While layoffs can be challenging, they may also lead to new opportunities.  It can be traumatic and uncomfortable, but it can be positive and liberating, opening new opportunities never imagined.  

From training camp dreams to Super Bowl destiny, the road to glory doesn’t just pass through Levi’s Stadium—it starts and ends here.

2025: I am certain you need no reminder, but we are squarely in the middle of a trade war! Every day and all day there are news reports of some action, counter action, speculation of a pending action or threats to take an action involving global trade.

Please join me for episode 12, part 2 of “Rittener Reflections,” where I am joined by Ken Wilcox, the former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) from 2001 to 2011, and the CEO of SVB’s joint venture with the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank in Shanghai until 2015.I hope you enjoyed listening to Ken and me […]

Please join me for episode 12, part one of Rittener Reflections as I am joined by Ken Wilcox the former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) from 2001 to 2011 and CEO of SVB's joint venture with the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank in Shanghai until 2015. Ken is also the author of two books. The first published in 2020 is "Leading Through Culture: How Real Leaders Create Cultures That Motivate People...

Involuntary separation, also known as layoff, termination, job elimination, or sometimes dismissal, is the outcome of corporate decisions to reduce their workforce. It has been exactly six months since my involuntary separation from Intel Corp. In episode 11 of Rittener Reflections, I provide a concise update on my activities over the past six months. More importantly, I will discuss the realities...

In this episode, we explore various topics in geopolitics, technology, and trade, including supply chain weaponization, export controls, tariffs, decoupling, nearshoring, tech diplomacy, and twelve strategic technology power multipliers.

Join me for Episode 9 of Rittener Reflections featuring Robb Gordon who is a good friend and former colleague from Intel. Rob and I worked together and often ran together when we were at the same place at the same time. In this episode I will reflect on two of my favorite topics: Trade and Running. In addition to describing some of our memorable running adventures we dive into some timely and impo...

In this episode of Rittener Reflections, I had the honor of spending a few moments with Sheldon Bernard, who is the founder of A440 Management LLC, a firm focused on Special Situations and decision making under uncertainty. He is a trailblazer in the world of applied decision sciences. With over 15 years of experience in "special project" work for Fortune 100 boards and executive teams, Together,...

Today is March 20 and I am publishing the third and final part of this special episode of Rittener Reflections.  I am excited to have Julie Whitt, Jose Vega and Robert Kearsley with me as we wrap up our conversation on the last day of the Bureau and Industry's Annual Update Conference on export controls and policy in Washington DC.   Listen to hear these amazing experts provide more in-depth analy...

Today is March 19th and this is day two of my special three-part episode where we are enjoying real-time daily report outs, analysis, and insights from three export control experts who are on the ground in Washington DC attending the Bureau and Industry's Annual Update Conference on export controls and policy.  You will want to listen in as they offer key take aways from the plenary sessions on mu...

Please join me for a special three-part episode of Rittener Reflections where I receive real-time daily report out, analysis, and insights from three export control experts attending the Bureau and Industry's Annual Update Conference this week in Washington DC.

As the title of this episode suggests, I intend to keep the discussion of tariffs front and center as the Tariff War continues to escalate and has become even more relevant and turbulent since my last episode. I will catch you up on where we stand with tariffs, explore the rationale behind President Trumps obsession with tariffs and at the end announce plans for a series of updates next week.

Welcome back to Rittner Reflections, a forum to address the dynamic, complex, and essential nature of cross border trade in our world today. For this episode, we will focus our discussion on one of the hottest, most controversial, and potentially disruptive topics of our day. Tariffs. Given the fluidity of the situation under the Trump administration, details and use of tariffs around the world ma...

After reflecting on the three months since I left Intel and the opportunities that await me, I take us down a path of “delightful distractions.” The last 30 days have left us feeling exhausted, confused, and at times overwhelmed as we digest the ongoing, around-the-clock news cycle. The issues are so important that none of us can afford to look away in case we miss something significant. However,...

 Welcome back to this third episode of Rittener Reflections. Today, I offer my reflections about this incredibly challenging moment in our history regarding cross border trade. And then I will share with you an amazing conversation I had with someone who I admire and 40 years immersed in the ever changing world of global trade.

 Hello, everyone. It is great to be back with you for episode number two of Written Reflections. The last two weeks have been quite busy for me. When I left Intel, I was worried that I would have little to do and in no time at all I would be bored. But fortunately, that is not the case, as you will hear in today's podcast. To begin with, though, I would like to express my sorrow and the horror of...

Hello and Happy New Year 2025. My name is Jeff Rittner and I am excited to start the new year by posting my first podcast. I am the former Chief Trade Officer, Vice President and General Manager of the International Trade Group at Intel. Over my 34 year career, I had the privilege of leading numerous global teams, working with some of the most brilliant and talented people at Intel.