IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
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IPC COMMUNITY 64 SUMMER 2024 technology was established there, but the mem- bership has grown to include companies in Can- ada and the United States. "It's quite a nice mix- ture of different stakeholders from the industry," Paavo says. Being a co-chair might have been a new expe- rience for Paavo, but one he fully embraces. "I am much more confident now about going for- ward with new standards," he says. "Seeing how our work benefits the industry has been an edu- cational learning process. There is excellent value in standardization work in that it enlarges your network. I enjoy the face-to-face meetings, where we discuss technology and meet new peo- ple. The times we can get together have been excellent events, especially IPC WinterCom. We made great progress and got the standard ready for final review. We achieved our objective in a great venue and a great environment." Will IME replace conventional electronics? "No," Paavo says, "but it enhances conventional electronics and is an efficient, sustainable way to enable specific functionalities that the end-us- ers are looking for." He believes IME will move beyond the automotive industry into smart home products and aviation. Now that he's no longer a newbie but an expe- rienced co-chair, Paavo looks forward to further participation in IME standards development. "We could then start to build a family of stan- dards on top of this one," he says. For more information on how to join a stan- dards committee, click here. Get to Know Paavo In addition to working on IME, vol- unteering for IPC, and raising a family, Paavo likes to step away from his desk for athletic pursuits. "I like to stay active in my free time," he says. "Our bodies were not designed for our cur- rent sedentary lifestyles. I competed nationally in martial arts in Finland, and these days, I still train martials, lift weights, cycle, ski, and do some metal forging. I also care for my fami- ly's horse and am currently learning to be a farrier so I can shoe the horse." Paavo earned third place in the World Heavy Events Association (WHEA) Grip World Championships in the Master's category (over 40 years old) in 2023 and was also a national age group champion in both repe- tition and weighted pull-up compe- titions last year. "Outside of work, I enjoy physically pushing myself to the limit," he says.