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July 2017 • The PCB Design Magazine 55 Suzy Sterner: Yester- day was very impres- sive with the level of people from the ad- ministration that we had an opportunity to meet with, to the insights they shared with us. Goldman: I under- stand you're quite involved in the defense in- dustry. What are your thoughts on what Robert Irie (from the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logis- tics) had to say? Sterner: First, he was exactly the right person to be here because he handles all the electronics industrial base issues within DoD. He was very forthright on what he needs to help continue to support the Executive Agent for Printed Circuit Boards and Interconnection Technology spon- sored by the Navy in Crane (Indiana). They want input from us and they want a dialogue. Goldman: Is that a new thing, based on your previous experience here? Sterner: This is my second IMPACT, but I've worked in Washington for more than 25 years. It's a little bit more open than it was in the previous Administration. We had the right people here, especially considering that not all the political positions have been filled. When politicals weren't available, we had very high senior-level civil servants who will be there when the new political person comes in, and they made it clear they will still be willing to work with us. Goldman: That's great. I hear the meeting with the EPA was good yesterday. Sterner: It was very good. It was a completely different—I was going to say environment, which sounds ironic to say about the EPA—but it was a very different atmosphere than we've dealt with in the past. Administrator Pruitt was welcoming and interested in what we had to say; he took notes and he gave assignments for follow-up to his staff member assisting him. You can't ask for more than that. Goldman: And there was a meeting at the White House also? Sterner: Yes, we met with high-level staff from Vice President Pence's office. That was very worthwhile. In addition to defense, I cover space issues, and we got insights into what they're do- ing with the National Space Council. It's been a very productive day. Goldman: Yes. Everyone seemed impressed with Kim Ford yesterday morning. She was very en- thusiastic and welcoming as you said. Sterner: Kim Ford was very impressive. They're really inviting industry to engage, and this was a great opportunity to do that. Goldman: Yes. I think everybody was overjoyed about all of that. Sterner: They should be. It was a highly produc- tive day. Goldman: Suzy, thanks so much for your input. Sterner: Thank you. PCBDESIGN IMPACT Interviews Suzy Sterner