Global Citizenship: Together for a Perfect PCB Solution
Smart Automation: Odd-form Assembly—Dedicated Insertion Equipment Matters
Nolan’s Notes: Everyone Has Their Eye on India
Coreen Blaylock: Opening Doors for New Professionals
February 24, 2023 | Patty Goldman, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
The IPC Excellence in Education Award is given to individuals who have made a significant contribution and demonstrated leadership in workforce development while building a culture of continuous learning within their organization and across the electronics industry.
Coreen Blaylock, project management and ping operations at Lockheed Martin, shares her unconventional introduction to the industry and how her work in STEM education and building industry partnerships has been instrumental in reinvigorating the manufacturing workforce. Lockheed Martin’s commitment to continuous education has provided veterans and displaced workers the training and financial support they need to be successful in our exciting industry.
Patty Goldman: Cory, congratulations on winning this award, which highlights IPC’s focus on education and workforce development.
Cory Blaylock: Thank you. First, I’m honored to work at Lockheed Martin, a company that’s committed to cultivating the next generation of technical talent that supports our nation’s most critical needs. We utilize STEM outreach and partnership, and we have educational institutions like the local one that I partnered with at Angelina College, as well as K–12 school districts, and we focus on hiring and training those regional students here in Lufkin. We want current and future Lockheed Martin employees to be well prepared.
Goldman: Why is continuous self-improvement and learning so important to you personally?
Blaylock: Because without it, people can miss out on great opportunities that could be life-changing, and I’m a perfect example of that myself. I came to the electronics manufacturing industry by way of the scenic route. I’m fairly new; I made a mid-career change. I spent the first 12 years of my career as an educator in the public school system. I left the classroom in 2015 to begin a new career at Lockheed Martin. I realized that I had a lot to learn about electronics manufacturing at that point. Throughout my career at Lockheed Martin, I’ve gone from not knowing anything related to electronics manufacturing to becoming a certified trainer. I teach new operators, assemblers, technicians, and engineers about IPC standards and the applications that they will use in the production and manufacturing settings when they begin their careers.
To read this entire interview, which appeared in the 2023 issue of Show & Tell Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"The I-Connect007 team is outstanding—kind, responsive, and a true marketing partner. Their design team created fresh, eye-catching ads, and their editorial support polished our content to let our brand shine. Thank you all! "
Sweeney Ng - CEE PCBSuggested Items
TTCI and The Training Connection Strengthen Electronics Manufacturing with Test Services and Training at PCB West 2025
09/16/2025 | The Test Connection Inc.The Test Connection Inc. (TTCI), a trusted provider of electronic test and manufacturing solutions, and The Training Connection LLC (TTC-LLC) will exhibit at PCB West 2025, taking place Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in California. Visitors are invited to Booth 113 to explore the companies’ complementary expertise in test engineering services and workforce development for the electronics industry.
Beyond the Board: What Companies Need to Know Before Entering the MilAero PCB Market
09/16/2025 | Jesse Vaughan -- Column: Beyond the BoardThe MilAero electronics supply chain offers opportunities for manufacturers that are both prestigious and strategically important. Serving prime contractors and Tier-1 suppliers can mean long-term program stability and the satisfaction of contributing to national security. At the same time, this sector is unlike commercial electronics in almost every respect. Success requires more than technical capabilities, it requires patience, preparation, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of how the business model differs.
India’s Aerospace and Defence Engineered for Power, Driven by Electronics
09/16/2025 | Gaurab Majumdar, Global Electronics AssociationWith a defence budget of $82.05 billion (2025–26) and a massive $223 billion earmarked for aerospace and defence spending over the next decade, India is rapidly positioning itself as a major player in the global defence and aerospace market.
I-Connect007 Launches Advanced Electronics Packaging Digest
09/15/2025 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 is pleased to announce the launch of Advanced Electronics Packaging Digest (AEPD), a new monthly digital newsletter dedicated to one of the most critical and rapidly evolving areas of electronics manufacturing: advanced packaging at the interconnect level.
Global Interposer Market to Surge Nearly Fivefold by 2034
09/15/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamRevenue for the global interposer market is projected to climb from $471 million in 2025 to more than $2.3 billion by 2034, according to a new report from Business Research Insights. The growth represents a CAGR of nearly 20 percent over the forecast period.