Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/848773
July 2017 • The PCB Design Magazine 67 putting the whole event together. Again, given the fact that this was my first time, I was really impressed with all the briefing materials they put together and the whole package of informa - tion. I'm very impressed, and it was very good. Goldman: They put together a tremendous amount of information for us: bios on all the speakers as well as everyone in our group, the briefing materials on the various departments (education, commerce, military, EPA), the key issues that we focused on. Then scheduling all the speakers during the day and at luncheons and dinners (including the awards dinner), and setting up meetings for everyone with their rep- resentatives. No spare time for us, right? It was quite a full schedule. And then to speak with your senators and representatives live, or per- haps their staff—that was a tremendous amount to coordinate, especially when you understand how packed their schedules seem to be. IPC staff supports so well, like you said, with all the briefing materials; but also, there's somebody at your side wherever you go to help you through the discussion and talking points if you need it. Vardya: In fact, the other thing that I will add that was interesting is a small group of us broke away and met with one of the senior staffers in the Rules Committee. We met in the congres- sional building and we talked a lot about how the rules work and what goes on, how bills come to the floor, and it was very insightful and interesting. Then, we got to go over and spend a few minutes in the actual House Chamber. That was a neat little tour that we ended up getting. Goldman: That's great. It was quite a two-and-a- half days, really. I'm glad you went, and I'm glad I went. Hopefully, you'll go next year, schedule permitting. Vardya: I absolutely will. I would really like to do that. Goldman: Anaya, thanks so much for your time and thoughts. Vardya: You're welcome. PCBDESIGN ___________________________________ Bill Johnson Congressman (R-OH) Congressman Bill Johnson (R-OH) gave a great talk during the Monday evening dinner at the very beginning of IMPACT. I think if there had been a way to vote for him for any office, everyone at the dinner would have done so. I interviewed the congressman a week after the event, and he shared his views on the way things are going in the Capitol today. He also asked me to call him Bill—not Mr. Johnson or Congressman. Just Bill. Patty Goldman: Bill, Monday evening you spoke about how President Trump is doing and things that are happening in Congress that af- fect business. If you could revisit those subjects for our readers, I would appreciate it. Bill Johnson: Sure, I think this goes all the way back to the November election, when the American people made a conscious choice to go in a different direction. They want to see, and they're still wanting to see, the greatness of IMPACT Interviews Rep. Ken Schrader (D-OR) is presented with the IPC U.S. Government Impact Award in recogni- tion of his bipartisan leadership on issues of importance to our industry. Presented by Phil Titterton (left), TTM, and John Mitchell, IPC.