IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1509763
IPC COMMUNITY 80 FALL 2023 In 2022, I was unexpectedly invited to meet with our press-fit committee co-chairs and IPC liaison. They told me that one of our co-chairs was moving from their current job to one at IPC, leaving an open seat on the committee. I was astonished when they told me I would be the right person to take over this position. Would I be interested? Yes, of course, but I was filled with mixed emotions; I felt honored, concerned, and even a little scared. Over the years, I had watched the chairs realign the committee when discussions were spiraling in unproductive directions, resolve complicated disputes by providing reasonable solutions, and lead global experts in highly technical subject matters. I'm a bit of an introvert and I don't have years of experience in the industry, so I couldn't help but wonder whether I was the best candidate. I accepted the position, and immediately expressed my appreciation for their trust and confidence in me, while secretly reminding myself that it's good to step outside my com- fort zone and push myself. At the beginning of the following year, we published the next revi- sion of IPC-9797A. I have witnessed amazing teamwork, and I look forward to the years ahead as I grow further into this role and help make our IPC committees as strong as possible. Erika Crandall is senior R&D product development engineer at TE Connectivity. She earned her doctorate at Auburn University. She is co-chair, 5-21M and 5-21N: Cold Joining Press-fit Task Group and Handbook Task Group.