Nathan Edwards to Lead USPAE as New Executive Director

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Effective May 1, 2023, Nathan Edwards will transition into the role of executive director of the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE). Currently serving as director of government development, Edwards will replace Chris Peters who will continue with the organization as a senior advisor, providing continuity and focus on special projects. 

As executive director of USPAE, Edwards will be responsible for establishing and growing the organization to help ensure the U.S. Government has access to trusted, secure, and resilient electronics supply chains. One of the organization’s signature programs is the $42 million Defense Electronics Consortium, which provides a contract vehicle for the Department of Defense (DoD) to work on electronics-related challenges with trusted partners in industry and academia, including small and medium-sized innovators that typically do not do business with DoD.

Edwards joined USPAE in August 2022 after being highly recommended by several members of the electronics manufacturing community. He has significant electronics expertise stemming from an impressive academic record and valuable experience in commercial and government environments. Much of that experience involves security of microelectronics and hardware systems, including five patents for the protection of embedded technologies. Edwards’s previous employers have ranged from Medtronic and Boeing to Sandia National Laboratories. He also has supported the Trusted and Assured Microelectronics program under the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

“Nathan’s electronics expertise and experience in both commercial and government segments make him ideally suited to continue the growth of USPAE,” said board member and retired Navy Rear Admiral Kevin Sweeney. “Chris has done a superb job as founding director and we’re grateful that he will help transition Nathan into this leadership role.”

Adds John W. Mitchell, IPC president and CEO and USPAE board member, “We’re fortunate to have both Nathan and Chris as part of the USPAE leadership team. “Nathan knows the U.S. Government customer well, including the Department of Defense, and has substantial technical expertise. His work at USPAE will help us bridge the gap between industry capabilities and the governments’ needs for electronics that support our national and economic security. Chris’s extensive experience in driving the innovation and adoption of solutions throughout manufacturing supply chains has helped connect the electronics industry and government.”