Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1183414
28 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2019 Feature Interview by Andy Shaughnessy I-CONNECT007 I spoke with Matt Stevenson about some of the changes he has seen in the industry, from starting in a PCB shop chemistry lab 25 years ago, to his current position of VP of sales and marketing for Sunstone Circuits. Matt gives his thoughts on his decades spent working with designers and fabricators and explains why he thinks this is one of the most exciting times the electronics industry has ever seen. Andy Shaughnessy: Today, I'm talking with Matt Stevenson, VP of sales and marketing for Sunstone. Can you give us a quick background about yourself and how you got into the busi- ness? Matt Stevenson: It's great to see you again, Andy. I've been working with circuit boards for about 25 years now. I started innocuously with a job out of college in a chemistry lab, doing analytical chemistry for a board shop in Colorado; after they closed that shop, I moved to Oregon to work for another big board shop, where I did process, material, and quality engi- neering for about 10 years. Then, I moved to Sunstone about 13 years ago, starting out as the quality manager. After about six in that role, I had a chance to use my MBA and moved into marketing, and here we are today. Shaughnessy: I know a lot of the Sunstone peo- ple have been there 10–20 years; there's not a lot of job-hopping. Stevenson: I think our average length of service for the entire floor is approximately 12 years, so you could say that our people tend to stay quite a while. I was not planning a long-term stop at Sunstone, but I fell for the culture that they had developed, and I have not looked back. Shaughnessy: Over the years in your job, you've seen a lot of things. What are some of the things that impress you about the industry? What do you think is important that we should note? Stevenson: For me, right now is probably the most exciting time that we've ever had in the electronics industry. You can't find too many Matt Stevenson: An Exciting Time to Be in the Industry Matt Stevenson