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60 SMT007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2026 F E AT U R E I N T E RV I E W BY M A R CY L A R O N T, I - C O N N ECT0 07 The Electronics Foundation Empowering Students, Strengthening Industry T he Electronics Foundation may be one of the industry's best-kept secrets, but its impact is anything but small. In this interview, Charlene Gunter and Gentry Manning discuss how the Foun- dation is building a pipeline of future electron- ics professionals through student chapters, scholarships, hands-on STEM programs, and global outreach. From high schools to universities, and from soldering kits to career exploration, they share how mean- ingful industry engagement is opening doors for students while helping manufac- turers address workforce needs. Marcy LaRont: Charlene and Gentry, it is great to speak with you both. When was the Electronics Foundation established, and what is your mission? Charlene Gunter: Both Gentry and I are proud to have served the industry through the Elec- tronics Foundation since it was established by the Global Electronics Association in 2019. Our focus is on creating aware- ness of career opportunities in the elec- tronics industry, connecting students with industry leaders, and support- ing STEM education through hands-on experiences, scholarships, and educa- tional resources. Our mission has always been to develop a pipeline of new talent to enter the electronics workforce. C h a rl e n e G u nte r