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34 The PCB Design Magazine • December 2015 ments to the products in our industry. It does so by way of improving the knowledge base of each designer who attends and participates. The products we design become more reliable by ap- plying the proven standards as determined by the experts in the industry, from a cross-section of the marketplace. When we as designers bring improvements to our company, we're recognized by our peers and by our employers. We may not always be rewarded, but as your value goes up, maybe it's time to find a company that would recognize and reward your value. Another aspect that I mentioned earlier is the opportunity to net- work with others in your profession. This can be in the form of meeting old friends or making new friends. Maybe it is a time when you can learn some helpful methods to deal with tech- nical issues or a professional response to some- thing that was occurring in your workplace. Often, business connections and business deals can occur based on the contacts that you make through the Designers Council. When some- one sees you attending, participating, and con- tributing in a public forum, they may become interested in services you offer, your expertise, and your ability to use it well. Shaughnessy: What's exciting about the dc today? Creeden: What I find very exciting about the De- signers Council is the wealth of knowledge that is presented and exchanged by the members of the group, not to mention the guest speakers that present at the chapter meetings. Our chap- ter has been known to take field trips to various manufacturing companies; they often provide an educational tour of their facilities and ex- plain the process flow. The fabricators teach us how to avoid common mistakes and better un- derstand the process. With the rapid pace that technology is moving it is imperative to stay current with the industry trends and technical requirements. Shaughnessy: You're on the executive board for the dc. how does the board operate? Creeden: The executive board is a group of in- dividuals who understand the value of service. Almost everyone participates at the expense of personal time and resources. Their commit- ment to the improvement of our industry is humbling to watch at times. They do not serve for the reward or prestige of office. They seem to serve for the betterment of their industry and the growth of knowledge. The board meetings themselves are often very casual events that include food, a lot of good jokes, and several intriguing stories. But when it comes down to business, it is profes- sional and orderly. A few officers are voted into positions for a term. The executive board defines and supports the Designer Certification Program (CID and CID+) as owned by IPC and facilitated by companies like EPTAC. The board members are typically significant contributors to IPC ef- forts and industry-related technical training ses- sions held across the country each year. All local Designers Council chapters are au- tonomous. Groups have a general charter as defined by the executive board and posted on IPC's website. Each local chapter tends to take on its own identity based on the participation of each group. Shaughnessy: mike, thanks for your time. Creeden: Thank you. PCBDESIGN IPC DESIGNERS CoUNCIL VIEWPoINT: MIkE CREEDEN feature interview Mike Creeden