Driving Innovation: Depth Routing Processes—Achieving Unparalleled Precision in Complex PCBs
It's Only Common Sense: The Evolution of Prospecting
Dan's Biz Bookshelf: 'Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company'
Isola Names Travis Kelly President and CEO
October 30, 2019 | Isola GroupEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Isola, designer and developer of copper-clad laminates and fabrication materials for multi-layer printed circuit boards (PCBs), has appointed Travis Kelly president and chief executive officer. Kelly most recently served as global chief operating officer at Cerberus Operations and Advisory Company (affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management). During his tenure at the firm, Kelly led numerous Cerberus portfolio companies as chairman, chief executive officer and other executive-level positions. He led the diligence process to bring Isola into the Cerberus portfolio and has been associated with the company since December 2018, as executive vice chairman of Isola’s board of directors and interim CEO.
“Isola has been around since 1912 in large part due to strong innovation and a talented and dedicated workforce,” Kelly said. “The electronics industry is witnessing a revolution – with the introduction of 5G, the increased focus on automotive safety and electrification of vehicles. Isola is well-positioned to meet the challenges of our industry with new and innovative products,” he added.
Isola recently relocated its corporate offices, R&D and manufacturing operations to a modern 118,000-square-foot facility in Chandler, Ariz., optimized to serve the quick-turn PCB market, which drives significant product innovation in North America and globally.
Kelly is an operationally oriented executive with multi-industry experience – skilled in building, strengthening and leading companies in various start-up, turnaround, stable and high-growth situations. He has held numerous C-level roles with companies in industries, including technology, retail entertainment, industrial, automotive and digital advertising. In 2017, he received Private Equity International’s 2017 PEI Award for operational excellence among upper mid-market companies in the Americas for his leadership in a company turnaround.
Kelly is an honors graduate of the University of Windsor and earned his MBA from the Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University. He also completed professional development studies at Harvard Business School.
About Isola
Isola Group designs, manufactures and markets copper-clad laminates and dielectric prepregs used to fabricate advanced multilayer printed circuit boards (PCB). The company’s global footprint includes eight manufacturing facilities, three research centers and four regional corporate offices located in Asia, Europe and the U.S. Isola Group’s materials are used in computers, networking and communications equipment, high-end consumer electronics, and in automotive, aerospace, military and medical components.
Share on:
Testimonial
"We’re proud to call I-Connect007 a trusted partner. Their innovative approach and industry insight made our podcast collaboration a success by connecting us with the right audience and delivering real results."
Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
Closing the Loop on PCB Etching Waste
09/09/2025 | Shawn Stone, IECAs the PCB industry continues its push toward greener, more cost-efficient operations, Sigma Engineering’s Mecer System offers a comprehensive solution to two of the industry’s most persistent pain points: etchant consumption and rinse water waste. Designed as a modular, fully automated platform, the Mecer System regenerates spent copper etchants—both alkaline and acidic—and simultaneously recycles rinse water, transforming a traditionally linear chemical process into a closed-loop system.
Driving Innovation: Depth Routing Processes—Achieving Unparalleled Precision in Complex PCBs
09/08/2025 | Kurt Palmer -- Column: Driving InnovationIn PCB manufacturing, the demand for increasingly complex and miniaturized designs continually pushes the boundaries of traditional fabrication methods, including depth routing. Success in these applications demands not only on robust machinery but also sophisticated control functions. PCB manufacturers rely on advanced machine features and process methodologies to meet their precise depth routing goals. Here, I’ll explore some crucial functions that empower manufacturers to master complex depth routing challenges.
Trouble in Your Tank: Minimizing Small-via Defects for High-reliability PCBs
08/27/2025 | Michael Carano -- Column: Trouble in Your TankTo quote the comedian Stephen Wright, “If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving is not for you.” That can be the battle cry when you find that only small-diameter vias are exhibiting voids. Why are small holes more prone to voids than larger vias when processed through electroless copper? There are several reasons.
The Government Circuit: Navigating New Trade Headwinds and New Partnerships
08/25/2025 | Chris Mitchell -- Column: The Government CircuitAs global trade winds continue to howl, the electronics manufacturing industry finds itself at a critical juncture. After months of warnings, the U.S. Government has implemented a broad array of tariff increases, with fresh duties hitting copper-based products, semiconductors, and imports from many nations. On the positive side, tentative trade agreements with Europe, China, Japan, and other nations are providing at least some clarity and counterbalance.
How Good Design Enables Sustainable PCBs
08/21/2025 | Gerry Partida, Summit InterconnectSustainability has become a key focus for PCB companies seeking to reduce waste, conserve energy, and optimize resources. While many discussions on sustainability center around materials or energy-efficient processes, PCB design is an often overlooked factor that lies at the heart of manufacturing. Good design practices, especially those based on established IPC standards, play a central role in enabling sustainable PCB production. By ensuring designs are manufacturable and reliable, engineers can significantly reduce the environmental impact of their products.