I-Connect007 'Just Ask' Q&A Compilation Available Now
April 21, 2021 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 1 minute

Throughout 2020, we asked you to send us your questions for Happy Holden, John Mitchell, Joe Fjelstad, Tara Dunn, and Heidi Barnes. You all had plenty of questions for these industry experts.
These five luminaries have seen it all. Happy, also known as "Mr. HDI," pioneered many of today's PCB design and fabrication processes while working at Hewlett-Packard. John Mitchell is president and CEO of IPC, and he co-founded the Alpine Electronics research company that introduced navigation systems into the U.S. Joe Fjelstad founded Silicon Pipe and Verdant Electronics, and he has over 185 patents issued or pending related to electronic interconnect and packaging technologies. Tara Dunn is the VP of marketing and business development for Averatek and founder of Omni PCB, and she specializes in additive processes, flex and rigid-flex, and RF/microwave applications. And Heidi Barnes is a signal integrity engineer with Keysight Technologies. She was named 2017 DesignCon Engineer of the Year, and Heidi also won NASA's coveted Silver Snoopy Award.
Click to download the Just Ask! Compilation.
And we're not resting on our laurels! For our next "Just Ask" series, PCB007 columnist Michael Carano is stepping up to answer your questions. Mike is a well-known expert on plating and wet processes in general, as well as co-chair of the IPC Technology Roadmap Executive Committee. To pose your questions for Mike, click here.
We also invite you to participate in the "Just Ask... Survey" to help answer the most important industry questions of the day. Regardless of your role in the industry, we welcome all questions relating to materials, testing, plating, chemistries, front-end, imaging, training, supply chain, hiring/recruiting, environmental or governmental issues—or any other topic. Ask as many questions as you like in this survey; there is no limit to the number of questions you ask or the number of times you can complete the survey.
We appreciate all of your questions, and our experts have enjoyed answering them as well. Thank you for your continued support.
Suggested Items
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
06/27/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007While news outside our industry keeps our attention occupied, the big news inside the industry is the rechristening of IPC as the Global Electronics Association. My must-reads begins with Marcy LaRont’s exclusive and informative interview with Dr. John Mitchell, president and CEO of the Global Electronics Association. For designers, have we finally reached the point in time where autorouters will fulfill their potential?
Reflections and Priorities: An Update to I-Connect007 Readers
06/24/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007The electronics and manufacturing industry is evolving rapidly—with new technologies, deeper global connections, and a growing drive toward sustainability. To reflect these changes and our place in this dynamic space, we’re refreshing our brand.
The Knowledge Base: Building the Workforce of Tomorrow With EMAC
06/24/2025 | Mike Konrad -- Column: The Knowledge BaseAs the electronics manufacturing industry races to meet rising global demand and technological complexity, the need for a highly skilled, future-ready workforce has never been greater. At the forefront of addressing this challenge is The Electronics Manufacturing & Assembly Collaborative (EMAC)—a national initiative dedicated to strengthening the talent pipeline through strategic collaboration with SMTA, education, and government stakeholders.
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.