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One World, One Industry: Meet IPC’s Vice President of Global Government Relations, Chris Mitchell

On March 5, IPC announced its VP of Global Government Relations, Chris Mitchell (no relation to me). In this new role, Chris will work closely with IPC’s Government Relations Steering  Committee and its government relations team based in Washington, D.C. Chris will represent IPC and the electronics manufacturing industry before key policymakers globally and identify issues and other opportunities where IPC can demonstrate its leadership in government relations and public policy.

We spoke to Chris recently on his background in government relations and his plans for IPC’s government relations program.

John: Chris, what are your to  priorities as IPC’s vice president of global government reations?

Chris: IPC’s  government  relations    program    has    grown  enormously  over  the  last  five  years,  and  I’m  committed  to  building  on  our  success  over  the next five. In the short-term, I have four top priorities.

First,  we  are  going  to  continue  to  grow  participation  in  IMPACT,  our  annual  advocacy  event  for  member  company  senior   executives   in   Washington, D.C. and Brussels, as well as the value members derive from it. Planning for IMPACT Washington, D.C. is well underway, and we expect a roster of high-profile speakers and meetings. We are also laying the policy groundwork now, so that IPC members can have maximum  influence  in  Washington  during  their  meetings on May 21–23. IMPACT Brussels will take place on November 28–29 and we are already initiating our plans for this event.

Second, IPC will be strengthening its commitment to global advocacy. We are in the process  of  hiring  a  senior  director  for  government relations in Europe, and we will be standing  up  two  new  government  relations  committees—one in Europe and one in Asia Pacific.  Our  investments  in  these  regions  will  better  position  the  industry  to  identify  and  respond  to   policy   developments   around the world.

Third,  IPC  will  be  investing   more   resources   in  thought  leadership  to  help  frame  and  drive  the  discussion  on  issues  important  to  the  electronics  industry.  To  this  end,  we will be working more closely    with    industry    peers, as well as academic  institutions  and  think  tanks, to generate support for IPC’s policy goals.

To read the full version of this article which appeared in the April 2018 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.