Learning with Leo: Drones—Meeting Demand Without Compromise
Nolan’s Notes: Our Spotlight on North America
Global Sourcing Spotlight: Building a Supply Chain That Bends, Not Breaks
December 2025 Design007 Magazine: Designing Your Work and Your Life
December 8, 2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Every PCB design is a lesson in balance: speed vs. stability, density vs. clarity, performance vs. cost. What if we approached life with that same mindset? Just as a well-designed board depends on thoughtful trade-offs, work-life balance comes from shaping a system that performs reliably over time. In this issue, we explore how designers translate their professional instincts into personal choices, and what happens when that system is allowed to drift.
In the December issue of Design007 Magazine, we go beyond board design to show how designers, marketers, managers, and owners apply their professional skills to personal choices—and what it costs when that system is left to drift.
Our contributors on the topic this month include Stephen V. Chavez of Siemens, Fil Arzola of Raytheon, Kelly Dack of Pioneer Circuits, Professor John Watson of Palomar College, Zach Peterson of Northwest Engineering Solutions, Barry Olney of In-Circuit Design PTY LTD, and Kelly Atay of ASC Sunstone Circuits.
So, if you’re feeling that drain from the pursuit of perfection, take a few minutes to read real-life stories of others who’ve been there, and get tips on setting boundaries that ultimately lead to a happier and healthier individual.
Share on:
Testimonial
"We’re proud to call I-Connect007 a trusted partner. Their innovative approach and industry insight made our podcast collaboration a success by connecting us with the right audience and delivering real results."
Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
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.
When Quality Is Personal: The Human Stakes Behind Electronics Reliability
05/06/2026 | Kelly DackIn electronics manufacturing, quality is often discussed in terms of specifications, standards, and process controls, but as industry veteran Doug Pauls reminds us, the stakes are far more human. In this conversation, Doug, a recipient of the Global Electronics Association’s Hall of Fame Award, draws on more than four decades of experience to illuminate the real-world consequences of reliability, where even a single defect can carry profound implications. He brings into sharp focus why quality isn’t just a metric, but a responsibility shared by everyone on the manufacturing floor.
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.
Nolan’s Notes: Our Spotlight on North America
05/05/2026 | Nolan Johnson -- Column: Nolan's NotesIn this issue of SMT007 Magazine, we wrap up our electronics world tour with a final stop in the United States and Canada, where we look at the challenges, opportunities, and geopolitical dynamics affecting the market today. What makes American electronics unique? Key U.S. administration policy decisions, like tariffs, are significantly affecting electronics manufacturing. Others, such as the current conflict with Iran and the associated closures of the Strait of Hormuz, affect the raw materials that feed our supply chain.
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.