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20 SMT007 MAGAZINE I DECEMBER 2018 by Nolan Johnson I-CONNECT007 Each year, IPC APEX EXPO features the industry's most dynamic, innovative minds to deliver keynote presentations that are both educational and entertaining. IPC APEX EXPO 2019 will feature JB Straubel, chief technical officer (CTO) and co-founder of electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc. Straubel will present "Accel- erating and Disrupting Innovation: The Tesla Story" on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 (8:30– 9:30 a.m.). In his presentation, Straubel will draw on his extensive experience and share the history of Tesla, detailing that innovation wasn't an add-on to its operations, but woven into every element of the business. He will also answer the perennial question, "How can my organi- zation re-engineer itself to create products and ideas that answer 21st century needs?" At Tesla, Straubel focuses on technical direc- tion and engineering design including battery technology, power electronics, motors, soft- ware, firmware, and controls. He also launched many Tesla initiatives including the Tesla Energy business providing grid storage for commercial utilities and residential consum- ers, the worldwide Tesla Supercharger network of fast DC chargers, and the Tesla Gigafac- tory, which is leading the way toward increas- ing worldwide battery production and lower- ing the cost per kWh. He is also responsible for new technology evaluations, R&D efforts, and technical diligence reviews of key vendors. Breaking through barriers to innovate faster and better has been Straubel's strength. Straubel's keynote session is free to all regis- tered IPC APEX EXPO attendees. SMT007 Reprinted from the IPC APEX EXPO confer- ence guide.