Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1454922
REAL TIME WITH... IPC APEX EXPO 2022 SHOW & TELL MAGAZINE I I-CONNECT007 75 Bev Christian Patty Goldman: Bev, congratulations on this most prestigious award from IPC. Tell me about how you got started with IPC. Bev Christian: ank you. At the time, I was working for Nortel here in Canada, and I went to an IPC Printed Circuits Expo in, I think 1996 or '97. I walked into either a component or PCB solderability task group meeting that Dave Hillman was chairing and I was hooked. Goldman: And are you still on that committee? Christian: I am actually, yes, all these years later. Goldman: Yes. All those years later. Tell me about it, though. What were your impressions with your first meeting and subsequent ones? And I'm sure you became chairman shortly thereaer. Christian: e first thing that hit me was I was in a room with people that spoke my language, that were interested in the things that I was interested in and were dedicated to moving the industry forward by building standards and test methods. And so, I branched out. I did a count and I think, over the years I've been on 30+ committees, certainly not all at the same time. I don't have clones. But it has been and still is a great ride. Goldman: Great. Now I know you didn't stay with Nortel. But have your companies always supported your IPC efforts? Christian: Yes, absolutely. In fact, I'm sad to report that this one this year will be the first APEX EXPO that I've ever missed, mainly for reasons of health. Certainly, my pres- ent par t-time employer at High Density Packaging User Group would help supple- ment my expenses, but no, I personally chose not to go. In terms of committees, I'm also the co- chair of the Technical Program Committee for APEX EXPO this year. Goldman: It's a shame to miss it all, though, I do understand. Well, now, suppose you were at the meeting, and you met a first timer; what's your advice to those first timers? Christian: I would say to try out several differ- ent committees. Just come into the back of the room, sit there, take it in, maybe for the first two times that you come just get the lay of the land. See how it works and where you think that you could provide some input and be use- ful to the industry. en I would dive in and become an active member. Perhaps volunteer to be the secre- tary, the notetaker for a committee on occa- sion. Once you get your feet under you, then think about stepping up to being a chair or a vice-chair. Do it gradually. Goldman: But basically, get involved. Right? Christian: Absolutely. Goldman: I've done that, where you sit in the back of the room and don't get involved. But