IPC Recognizes Calumet’s Audra Thurston with Rising Star Award

Calumet Electronics process engineer Audra Thurston exemplifies the company's commitment to advancing young engineers, promoting American jobs, and protecting domestic electronics manufacturing. IPC—an esteemed international trade organization celebrating excellence in electronics—recognized Thurston as a leader in her field by awarding her with the prestigious IPC Rising Star Award.

The award is presented annually by IPC to only a select few of the world's best and brightest in the industry. It solidifies Thurston's reputation as one of Calumet's rising young engineers. "Calumet is dedicated to investing in talent and advancing young engineers who share our mission to have a positive impact on the industry,” said Calumet VP/COO Todd Brassard. “We're honored that IPC recognized Audra's leadership and outstanding performance. She epitomizes the world class caliber of talent Calumet strives to mentor. Her well-deserved award highlights our forward thinking outlook on the future of the industry. We are so proud of her."

Thurston received the IPC Rising Star Award for demonstrating significant thought leadership over the past five years and for supporting IPC standards, education, advocacy and solutions to industry challenges. In just three years, Thurston ascended from a Michigan Technological University (MTU) graduate with a degree in chemical engineering to a guest at the White House as an industry representative.

As an IPC Rising Star recipient, she continues to make strides in the industry by positively impacting printed circuit board manufacturing.

"I am thrilled to be recognized with the IPC Rising Star Award," said Thurston. "As part of the next generation of engineers who are helping to lead our great industry into the future, I am grateful to learn from all of the excellent people who came before me." 

Thurston started as an intern at Calumet in 2017. After graduating, Calumet planned and executed the first United States PCB fabrication course at MTU in 20 years, supporting students and donating raw materials. Thurston works within a culture of innovation that is advancing breakthrough industry technologies, including advanced HDI and HDBU, RF, microwave, and IC substrates.

"Audra has quickly become a role model in the IPC community which benefits from her skills, expertise, and spirit of collaboration," said IPC president/CEO John Mitchell. "We are fortunate she chooses to share her knowledge on issues that the entire industry is working to tackle. IPC is eager to see all she'll achieve throughout her budding career."