Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1524164
JULY 2024 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 9 Marcy LaRont is the editor of PCB007 Magazine. Marcy started her career in PCBs in 1993 and brings a wide array of business experience and perspective to I-Connect007. To contact Marcy, click here. tively possessed a determination and positivity that we define as "grit," and which ultimately resulted in their great professional and finan- cial success. Our industry has continuously illustrated similar resiliency. Necessity is the mother of invention, and the drive to survive can indeed lead to thriving, which has been true for our industry. But the degree of evolution and rein- vention displayed by our companies over the last 77 years is impressive, and we should be collectively proud. Our industry possesses so many intelligent, optimistic, determined pro- fessionals who use their vision—and their grit—to keep moving forward despite the chal- lenges inherent in a global supply chain. In this issue, I asked Schmoll America, American Standard Circuits, and Alpha Cir- cuit: "What does it mean not only to survive but thrive?" I know you will appreciate how they explain what it means to thrive in their organizations. Also in this issue, columnist Paige Fiet of TTM-Logan weighs in on how she's thriving in her own life and career, an excellent fol- low-up to her last column on problem-solv- ing. Jesse Ziomek of DIS illustrates thriving through innovation and expansion via auto- mation, and Alex Stepinski displays the char- acteristics of ingenuity and reinvention as he lays out a new model for a much less expen- sive PCB startup. Our talented columnists Don Ball, Happy Holden, and Mike Carano add their intellect to the mix, making this issue thrive with abundant value. Finally, I wel- come Shane Whiteside, representing PCBAA and Tom Yang with CEE as new columnists this month. Here's to thriving. PCB007 by Tom Yang Welcome to my new column. My name is Tom Yang, and I am the CEO of CEE PCB, a family-owned global printed circuit board business. I was actually educated in California, earning my bache- lor's and master's degrees in finance at Cal State. After graduating, I worked in investment banking for a while, then came to work at CEE, where I have been ever since. We are a family-owned business. My dad is the founder and chair of the company; my uncle heads the sourcing team. I first joined the purchasing team in 2019 when our Zhuhai factory was in the early stages of construction. I watched it being built and helped by selecting and installing all the new equip- ment. For the past three years, I have spent most of my time at the headquarters in Huizhou, as well as visiting clients in mainland China and around the world once COVID restrictions were lifted. Over the years, we have put together a great team at CEE. Our team works on the principle of "family-by-choice"; whether or not we are actually related, we operate as one big family, and we have valued these efforts over the years very much. During my years in America, I came to realize that many of the impressions we have in China about Americans are misconceptions. That same thing applies for the impressions that Americans have about China. In truth, I have found myself in the middle. I have spent much time trying to explain Chinese business culture to Americans and Amer- ican business culture to Chinese businesspeople, especially those in our industry. To continue reading this column, click here. Bringing Two Cultures Together in PCB Manufacturing GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP: