Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1359517
76 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2021 Interview by Andy Shaughnessy I-CONNECT007 I recently spoke with PCEA's Scott McCurdy and Tomas Chester about the organization's plans for its second year. ey explained that they plan to add new chapters and members, especially younger engineers like Tomas. Andy Shaughnessy: How are you guys doing? For those who don't know, Scott is the chapter liaison and chairman for PCEA, and Tomas is the founder of the PCEA chapter in Ontario, Canada. Scott McCurdy: I'm doing great in this work- from-home environment. Shaughnessy: Nice to meet you virtually, Tomas. Tomas Chester: Nice to meet you, too, Andy. Working from home has been okay for me. I don't have to drive through four feet of snow to work every morning. Shaughnessy: at alone makes it worthwhile. Scott, the PCEA is now in its second year. Give us an update on what you've been up to. McCurdy: e PCEA (Printed Circuit Engi- neering Association) is an international net- work of engineers, designers, fabricators, assemblers, and anybody who is related to the printed circuit development world. We started in late 2019. It's a volunteer nonprofit organi- zation. I got involved because I was one of the executive board members of the IPC Design- ers Council, and we were "orphaned." at led to the birth of a new organization with a bunch of the chapters that had no place to go. We formed a new organization around that, and it's been great. I was president of the Orange County chap- ter of the Designers Council for 17 years, so we transitioned into PCEA and then immediately had to start doing virtual meetings. is led us to find new members or having them find us. Many people may not live in an area where there is much electronics activity, yet they were still looking for a place to collaborate. PCEA Expands in its Sophomore Year