The Government Circuit: News on Defense Electronics, Europe, and Sustainability
American Made Advocacy: Taking the Fight to Capitol Hill
Defense Speak Interpreted: SWaPing Nanosatellites for Defense Systems
Programs for Veterans: A Blackfox Update
October 7, 2020 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
At IPC APEX EXPO 2020, I spoke with Al Dill, president and CEO of Blackfox, about the Evolution Foundation, a nonprofit program to assist veterans with training and assistance into civilian tech jobs. Here, we get an update from Dill, Jahr Turchan, director of veteran services and advanced manufacturing programs, and Sharon Montana-Beard, VP and director of sales and operations, on Blackfox’s programs for veterans.
Nolan Johnson: Al, we did an interview at IPC a while back on your program for veterans. Can you give us a quick update on how that’s going currently through all of this?
Al Dill: Because of this pandemic, a lot of the program has slowed down quite a bit because of lack of access to the military bases and everyone being cautious about travel and too much movement. We worked with some other veteran-related organizations that are manufacturer organizations, and we’re preparing to launch as soon as this loosens up.
We haven’t just sat idle here; we are ready. We have good connections at the military bases, particularly in Colorado, and other veteran-affiliated associations that we’re ready to turn on. And as I mentioned in the interview, we launched a nonprofit called the Evolution Foundation in that timeframe. It’s formed and ready to roll. We have a director overseeing the nonprofit, and its primary goal is to provide monetary resources to help support mostly our veterans in their pursuit of the career. Jahr, can you talk about our relationship with them and what we’ve done?
Jahr Turchan: Absolutely. Although we did slow things down a little bit, the executive director of the Evolution Foundation, Jerry Ward, has been very active in seeking strategic partnerships to keep that moving forward. Unfortunately, nonprofit donations have dipped extremely during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what little donations are still coming out of people’s pockets are obviously focused as much as possible on COVID19 relief-type activities. We’ve been doing whatever we can to strengthen our infrastructure and be ready for a post-COVID-19 environment to utilize that vehicle and really help veterans successfully transfer to civilian careers.
To read this entire interview, which appeared in the October 2020 issue of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
IPC Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Patty Goldman
11/22/2024 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007In my first article of this special series, I wrote a synopsis of the IPC Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame (HOF) Award, along with a commentary on its first few members, particularly Pritchard. Over the years, IPC members who have contributed significantly to IPC and our industry have been awarded this high honor and recognition. Though many early HOF members have passed away and are unknown to today’s IPC membership, their contributions still resonate. Over the coming months, I look forward to researching and reporting on IPC Hall of Fame members and their contributions. This month, I highlight Patty Goldman.
Winners of IPC Hand Soldering World Championship at electronica 2024 Announced
11/21/2024 | IPCIPC hosted its Hand Soldering World Championship in Munich, Germany, at electronica on 14-15 November 2024, welcoming 14 competitors from 13 companies and 12 countries worldwide. Skilled contestants competed to build an electronics assembly in accordance with IPC-A-610 Class 3 criteria, and were judged on the functionality of the assembly, compliance with the assembly process and overall product quality. The contestants were allowed a maximum of 60 minutes to complete the assembly.
IPC Issues Clarion Call for EU to Reclaim Leadership in Electronics Manufacturing
11/21/2024 | IPCIPC released a synopsis of its recent white paper, Securing the European Union’s Electronics Ecosystem. This condensed document presents a comprehensive overview of the current challenges in Europe’s electronics manufacturing industry and shares actionable steps to help the EU achieve a stronger, more autonomous ecosystem.
Enjoy the Journey: PCB Design Instructor Kris Moyer on His Sustainable Lifestyle
11/19/2024 | Michelle Te, IPC CommunityWhen I contacted IPC design instructor Kris Moyer to discuss his sustainable lifestyle, he responded to my text with a call. "I'm calling you from about 8,000 feet, sitting at the foot of Mammoth Lakes," he told me. “My friends and I are about to get in the pool for the afternoon." Kris can do this because he actually lives full-time in his travel-trailer at this campground. He's now a permanent camper, taking him anywhere the winds blow—and where there's strong internet service—so he can teach his PCB design classes, offer expert interviews, and live off the land.
IPC Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week with a Focus on Electronics Manufacturing Excellence
11/19/2024 | IPCIPC, a leading global electronics industry association and source for industry standards, training and advocacy, is proud to announce its participation in National Apprenticeship Week, scheduled for November 17-23, 2024.