Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1265351
70 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JULY 2020 The second part of my job is to start grow- ing USPAE by finding initial members, both in the electronics industry and academia, to join. It's also about identifying opportunities—espe- cially with the government—to bring through the contract vehicles that we look at to work closely with the industry and academia to solve government challenges. Nolan Johnson: We have been investigating the current status of U.S. electronics manufactur- ing and supply chain as a critical industry. Can you tell us about the current status? Peters: I've been working in supply chain— especially for the DoD—for a good while, and there was a growing awareness of supply chain issues even before the COVID-19 crisis. Since the COVID-19 crisis, there has been so much discussion about supply chain. For the first time, my parents understand some of what I do. It's a challenge. The issue has been that there has been a lot of attention paid to micro- electronics by the DoD. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on different pro- grams focusing on the chip and wafer but not Feature Interview by the I-Connect007 Editorial Team Chris Peters represents the U.S. Partner- ship for Assured Electronics, where he advo- cates for electronics manufacturing as a critical industry. Here, he describes the current status, the supply chain, and what he sees in Wash- ington D.C. Barry Matties: Chris, tell us what you do and what your role is. Chris Peters: My role is the executive director for U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics, and my efforts are twofold. First, I am estab- lishing the organization. We incorporated it in February. We've had to go through a consider- able process to get registered, such as receiv- ing a Dun & Bradstreet number, getting a CAGE code to do business with the government, and registering for award management for the gov- ernment, as well as in the Cornerstone Other Transaction Agreement so that we can receive solicitations for the kind of work that we expect down the road. Electronics Manufacturing: A Critical Industry and Supply Chain Chris Peters