American Made Advocacy: Rebuilding America’s Military Stockpiles Begins With Microelectronics
The Right Approach: The End of an Era—DoD Proposes MIL-PRF-31032 Cancellation
Defense Speak Interpreted: Hypersonics Report Back After Six Years of Silence
Meet Thiago Guimaraes, IPC's New Director of Industry Intelligence
May 5, 2025 | Chris Mitchell, IPC VP, Global Government RelationsEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
The fast pace of innovation in the electronics manufacturing industry means business owners must continuously adapt their processes and capabilities to meet changing customer demands and market trends. To that end, IPC has hired Thiago Guimaraes as the new director of Industry Intelligence. In this interview, Thiago shares key goals and objectives that could revolutionize the industry as he helps stakeholders navigate industry trends and challenges.
Thiago’s goals include developing comprehensive regional and global reports, focusing on specific verticals like automotive and medical, and addressing technology-oriented topics such as advanced packaging, Industry 4.0, automation, and AI.
Thiago, could you share a bit about your background and how it led you to IPC?
Thiago Guimaraes: My background is a mix of academic and market research, client management, and business strategy. I started my career as a research analyst, where I was often challenged to not just analyze data but to answer the critical "so what" question—translating findings into actionable insights. My work was industry agnostic, spanning, among others, gaming, consumer tech, and building materials. As my career progressed, I found myself focusing more on industrial manufacturing—the technologies that are behind the products we use every day but often don’t think about. Many of my clients were in the middle of the value chain, making components that the average consumer wouldn't recognize, but make use of in most things they do.
I see this opportunity at IPC as a chance to further develop a dedicated research function, which is right up my alley. But it certainly sweetened the deal that IPC is at the core of an industry that underpins so many aspects of how the world operates. From farming equipment to transportation and defense to healthcare, you name it—electronics manufacturing touches almost every facet of our lives. Being part of this critical ecosystem is a really compelling opportunity.
Continue reading this interview in the Spring 2025 issue of IPC Community.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Advertising in PCB007 Magazine has been a great way to showcase our bare board testers to the right audience. The I-Connect007 team makes the process smooth and professional. We’re proud to be featured in such a trusted publication."
Klaus Koziol - atgSuggested Items
Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Karen McConnell
05/07/2026 | Dan Feinberg, I-Connect007In 2021, Karen McConnell was awarded the Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame award in recognition of her contributions to the Association and the electronics industry. As a senior staff member and CAD/CAM engineer at Northrop Grumman Enterprise Services, her primary responsibility was to develop a common, shared EDM (Electronic Document Management) library to support the electrical and PCB design tool initiatives across Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.
A Necessary Shift From Gerber to IPC-2581
05/07/2026 | Tracy Riggan, Global Electronics AssociationIPC-2581 is an open, vendor-neutral data exchange standard developed by the Global Electronics Association to streamline the exchange of PCB design information across fabrication, assembly, and test. It replaces multiple legacy formats—including industry standards, Gerber, and ODB++—with a single, comprehensive, XML-based dataset that captures all manufacturing details.
Meet Emerging Engineers: Patrick Owen and Eric Mickenbecker, Summit Interconnect
05/05/2026 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007Patrick Owen and Eric Mickenbecker both work for Summit Interconnect, and are in their second year of the Global Electronics Association’s Emerging Engineer Program with mentor Brian Chislea. They stopped by the I-Connect007 booth at APEX EXPO and shared a bit of their story with me. Patrick has worked at the Hollister, California, plant since 2018, while Eric has been at the Chicago site since 2023. Like many of their peers, they came to the electronics industry from different paths, but are both excited about making an impact.
PCBAA, AAM Take on the Fight to Rebuild U.S. Manufacturing in New Documentary
05/05/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Throughout most of the 20th century, manufacturing was central to the American Dream of providing stable jobs and pathways to upward mobility. Today, more than 80% of global electronics manufacturing capacity resides in China and greater Asia, raising serious concerns about supply chain resilience and national security.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/01/2026 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007If it feels like the PCB industry is accelerating faster than ever, you’re not imagining it. From advanced materials driven by AI applications to renewed investment in domestic manufacturing—and the next generation stepping into critical roles—there’s a lot shifting at once. My selections for this week highlight where the pressure points are forming, and where the opportunities are emerging.