April 1, 2025 — The RAIN Alliance is pleased to announce the results of its recent Board of Directors election. Congratulations to James Goodland (NXP Semiconductors), Pierre Muller (EM Microelectronic), Juho Partanen (Impinj Inc.), and Abby Wu (Xindeco IoT), who have been elected to serve two-year terms through March 2027. Each of these industry leaders brings extensive expertise and a deep commitment to advancing RAIN technology.
They join the current Board members serving through March 2026: Michael Fein, Director of Product Management, RFID, Zebra Technologies; Herve d’Halluin, RFID & Traceability Leader, Decathlon; and Joseph Kunnen, CTO, Times-7 Research Limited.
Meet the New Board Members
James Goodland, Director, RAIN RFID Solutions, NXP Semiconductors
James Goodland leads RAIN RFID solutions at NXP Semiconductors, overseeing global strategy, product marketing, and market development. He collaborates with ecosystem partners to facilitate solution development and system implementation for end users. With 25 years of experience across the RAIN value chain, including roles with hardware manufacturers, systems integrators, and end users, James has spearheaded numerous implementations, including the introduction of RAIN technology at UK supermarket Asda. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and an MBA from the University of Bradford School of Management.
Pierre Muller, RFID Business Unit Leader, EM Microelectronic
Pierre Muller heads the RFID Business Unit at EM Microelectronic, a pioneer in RFID technology. With more than 20 years in the semiconductor industry and 10 years specializing in RFID, Pierre has played a key role in developing Bluetooth and cellular systems, as well as security and payment products. He oversees all RFID-related activities at EM Microelectronic, including strategic roadmaps, product development, partnerships, and business operations. An ISO expert, Pierre has served on the RAIN Alliance Board since 2023. He holds an MSc in Microelectronics from Grenoble INP.
Juho Partanen, VP Market Transformation, Impinj Inc.
A global advocate for RAIN technology, Juho Partanen has spent over 20 years driving industry growth and scalability. His leadership experience spans roles from team lead to CEO, Board of Directors member, and Chair. Juho has also contributed to key industry standards through ISO, CEN/CLC, and GS1. A RAIN Alliance Board member since 2019, he previously served as Chair for three years. Juho holds an M.Sc. in Applied Electronics.
Abby Wu, Assist to GM – Xindeco IoT, GM – Xindeco IoT Malaysia Sdn. Bhd
With 14 years at Xindeco, Abby Wu has been instrumental in advancing RAIN technology in the Asia-Pacific region. As Chair of the RAIN APAC Advisory Group, she works closely with Xindeco to drive innovation and provide high-quality RAIN products and services to clients worldwide.
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“We are thrilled to welcome these accomplished leaders to the RAIN Alliance Board of Directors,” said Aileen Ryan, RAIN Alliance President and CEO. “Their expertise and vision will be instrumental as we navigate a pivotal moment in the lifetime of RAIN technology. Opportunities for massive scale deployments are being driven in the short-medium term by the emerging Digital Product Passport legislation and the plans to have RAIN readers in consumer devices. Against the backdrop of such opportunity, our new Board members play a critical role in shaping the industry’s future, and I look forward to collaborating with them to accelerate global adoption and innovation.”