IPC President’s Award: Cathy Hanlin

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

The IPC President’s Award is given to IPC members who have exhibited ongoing leadership in IPC and have made significant contributions of time and talent to the association and the electronic interconnect industry. Individuals can receive this award only once.

Cathy Hanlin was general manager at Precision Manufacturing Company Inc. A valued IPC/WHMA committee member, she was well known for her contributions to standards development. She held leadership roles on 7-31F: IPC WHMA-A-620 Task Group, 7-31FT: IPC WHMA-A-620 Training Committee, 7-31FT-AT: Training Wheelz, and 5-22A-BLUEHEDGE: Blue Hedgehog. She won multiple IPC awards for her dedicated work editing, developing, and implementing the standards the global electronics industry relies on.

Cathy passed away last fall. In accepting the award on her behalf, her team at Precision Manufacturing, including Hannah Galloway, Kayla Leonard, Joe Bonfer, Sirena Smith, Craig Galloway, responded to an email and answered the following questions.

What was it like to get the phone call on Cathy’s behalf?

Receiving the news that Cathy was being honored with the IPC President’s Award was a deeply bittersweet moment. We were overjoyed that her years of dedication and contributions to WHMA and IPC were being recognized, yet the excitement was met with sadness knowing she would not be here to accept it herself. Hearing that her passing only strengthened the committee’s resolve to ensure she received this honor was both touching and emotional. While we all wished she could have been the one to answer the call, we know she would have been incredibly proud.

How did Cathy get started with IPC? 

While we may not know the exact details of how Cathy first got involved with IPC, one thing is certain—once she joined, she fully committed herself. It is believed that Donnie Hill, PMCI’s former president, recommended Cathy for the committee, recognizing both her deep expertise in wire harness manufacturing and her broader knowledge of electronics. True to her nature, Cathy did not just participate; she took charge, ensuring that things were done right. She was never one to do anything halfway. When she got involved, she gave it her all.

The President’s Award is for leadership. How did Cathy show that leadership?

Cathy exemplified leadership in every way. She was always willing to help anyone who needed it, often dropping what she was doing to offer guidance, support, or a solution—never hesitating to put others before herself. She had a unique ability to break down complex issues into simple terms, making her an invaluable mentor and resource for those around her. Her constructive feedback and willingness to share her vast knowledge helped so many people grow in their own roles. Cathy also built strong relationships with customers and suppliers, becoming a trusted expert people turned to for advice. She thrived on challenges—especially when told something was nearly impossible—and tackled every obstacle with determination and expertise. Her unwavering dedication and selflessness were the very essence of leadership, and her impact continues to inspire us all.

How did Cathy’s work with IPC change the working environment at PMCI?

Cathy’s expertise with IPC standards, especially IPC-620, had a lasting impact on PMCI. She made sure that every associate not only knew what the 620 standard was but also understood how to apply it. If she didn’t immediately have an answer, she would grab her 620 book, find the answer, and without fail, be right (which she loved). Her knowledge helped solve challenges across the board, from soldering to testing harnesses, ensuring reliability in everything we did. She was a mentor to engineers, suppliers, and customers alike, always willing to share her expertise and help others grow. Cathy’s commitment to precision and education strengthened our processes and left a lasting mark on our company culture.

How would you describe Cathy’s essence, both personally and professionally? 

Cathy was a one-of-a-kind person. She was generous, fiercely dedicated, and always ready with a quick-witted remark. She had a sharp sense of humor and loved to tease, but it was always in good fun; she expected you to dish it right back. She had a mouth like a sailor, which often led to playful corrections, to which she would respond with a cheeky “Yes, Dad,” even when she was older than you. 

Beyond her humor, Cathy had an enormous heart. She quietly helped others, often giving money to those in need and insisting it remain private. She had a knack for finding the perfect thrift store treasure for someone, delivering it with a full story on how she found it and, of course, how she scored the “old lady discount.” Her passion extended to everything she did. Cathy was an avid reader, with thousands of books across multiple Kindles (always with backups), and when she found something she loved—whether it was a book, a project, or a challenge—she was all in. 

That same dedication carried into her professional life, where she was a wealth of knowledge, always willing to share her expertise and mentor those around her. Cathy also had a softer, more nurturing side. She built strong relationships with those she worked with, offering guidance, encouragement, and even small gestures of kindness—like letting a nervous first-time flyer have the window seat. She loved deeply, cared genuinely, and left an unforgettable impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Cathy was truly a treasure, and she will be missed beyond words.