Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1519075
74 PCB007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2024 Interview by Marcy LaRont I-CONNECT007 "IPC's slogan is Build Electronics Better, which is 100% what Validation Services is," says Randy Cherry, who directs the program, now in its 11th year. Having created the pro- gram from the ground up and weathered the COVID drought just when the program was gaining momentum, IPC Validations Services has 165 customers and an impressive 98% retention rate. Why is this program important? at was the question no doubt more than a few IPC members were asking themselves when David Bergman, VP of Standards and Technology, first thought of the idea for a value-added ser- vice that would provide analyses, auditing, and qualification to global manufacturers built around specific IPC standards. is would be the first audit of its kind and would take place on the factory floor. Starting any new system is a tremendous amount of work, but defining, creating, and implementing such a complete system of oversight and qualification took time. As VS took off, it yielded a continuous stream of direct industry feedback about what com- panies most needed and would find most helpful. Out of this, the program grew. In 2016, the Standards Gap Analysis (SGA) program came into being, allowing for a com- pletely confidential pre-audit process for com- panies considering a full VS audit, but want- ing to identify areas for process improvement beforehand. Out of the audit and SGA pro- grams, Technology Solutions became a service offering in 2018, providing technical expertise to help manufacturers solve problems on the factory floor. I n 2019, the IPC-1791 T rusted Supplier and Cybersecurity List came to frui- Solving Problems and Validating Excellence