Standard of Excellence: Delivering Excellence—A Daily Goal
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Tin Whisker Mitigation in Aerospace Applications, Part 3
The Knowledge Base: Building the Workforce of Tomorrow With EMAC
An Interview With My Mentor, Christina Rutherford
July 17, 2024 | Hannah GraceEstimated reading time: 1 minute
I first came to IPC APEX EXPO as a Student Board Member, and during my time on the board, I discovered that the show is not just another endpoint to a conference, but a launching pad for ideas, connections, and inspiration that lasts for decades. As participants leave the conference, they continue sharing knowledge and experiences that linger, affirming the enduring significance of IPC APEX EXPO in shaping the future of electronics.
While preparing for this year’s show, I had the privilege of interviewing Honeywell engineer Christina Rutherford. Not only is she chair of some IPC standards committees, but she’s also my mentor as an early-career emerging engineer. Join me in uncovering the insights and enthusiasm that drive her to participate in this industry-leading event year after year.
Christina, thank you for joining me today. To kick things off, tell me about your current role at Honeywell and how you knew you wanted to enter the electronics industry.
Christina Rutherford: I’m an advanced hardware engineer in materials engineering, focusing on manufacturing cables and hardware design. Originally, I didn’t know I wanted to enter the electronics industry. Seven years ago, and with a degree in chemistry, a friend encouraged me to apply for a job in material and process engineering at an electronics site within Honeywell.
To read the rest of this article in the Summer 2024 issue of IPC Community, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Advancing Aerospace Excellence: Emerald’s Medford Team Earns Space Addendum Certification
06/30/2025 | Emerald TechnologiesWe’re thrilled to announce a major achievement from our Medford, Oregon facility. Andy Abrigo has officially earned her credentials as a Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) under the IPC J-STD-001 Space Addendum, the leading industry standard for space and military-grade electronics manufacturing.
Magnalytix and Foresite to Host Technical Webinar on SIR Testing and Functional Reliability
06/26/2025 | MAGNALYTIXMagnalytix, in collaboration with Foresite Inc., is pleased to announce an upcoming one-hour Webinar Workshop titled “Comparing SIR IPC B-52 to Umpire 41 Functional & SIR Test Method.” This session will be held on July 24, 2025, and is open to professionals in electronics manufacturing, reliability engineering, and process development seeking insights into new testing standards for climatic reliability.
IPC Rebrands as Global Electronics Association: Interview With Dr. John W. Mitchell
06/22/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Today, following a major announcement, IPC is embracing the rapid advancement of technology with a bold decision to change its name to the Global Electronics Association. This name more accurately reflects the full breadth of its work and the modern realities of electronics manufacturing. In this exclusive interview, Global Electronics Association President and CEO Dr. John W. Mitchell shares the story behind the rebrand: Why now, what it means for the industry, and how it aligns with the organization’s mission.
Global Electronics Association Debuts; New Name Elevates IPC’s 70-Year Legacy as Voice of $6 Trillion Electronics Industry
06/25/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationToday begins a new chapter for IPC as it officially becomes the Global Electronics Association, reflecting its role as the voice of the electronics industry. Guided by the vision of “Better electronics for a better world,” the Global Electronics Association (electronics.org) is dedicated to enhancing supply chain resilience and promoting accelerated growth through engagement with more than 3,000 member companies, thousands of partners, and dozens of governments across the globe.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
06/20/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007It’s been a busy week in this industry, and we have news and articles from the PCB design, fabrication and assembly communities. Some of this news is out of this world. We may be losing the high ground—the really high ground. Columnist Jesse Vaughan explains how the U.S. seems to be falling behind in space, and how this could affect our ability to defend ourselves in the future. We have an update on the U.S.-China tariff talks, which seem to be moving forward, though sometimes at a snail’s pace.