Microelectronics: Tiny Technology With a Massive Impact E38
While small in size, microelectronic components are an increasingly important part of many industries, ranging from transportation to healthcare to aerospace and defense.
The May 2023 episode of the Arizona Technology Council’s AZTechCast podcast featured experts including Joe Cestari, executive director at Kiterocket; Travis Kelly, president and CEO of Isola Group and chairman of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America; and Monica McDade, project manager at Leonardo Electronics US – Laser Solutions.
These leaders joined Bianca Buliga, director of marketing + communications at the Arizona Technology Council, and Karen Nowicki, president and owner of Phoenix Business RadioX, in discussing the most innovative and transformative ways that companies are using microelectronics.
In this hour-long episode, the panel of three experts defined microelectronics and the many sub-categories that exist within microelectronics, including semiconductor chips, printed circuit boards and even lasers.
While many of these products seem to only exist in high-tech labs, we all unknowingly interact with microelectronics on a daily basis, whether they’re in our smart phones, cars or kitchen appliances. The everyday applications of microelectronics are paving the way for the future of many different industries, including smart cities, the internet of things (IoT) and even artificial intelligence. 
Isola is a leader in global material sciences. They design, develop, manufacture, and qualify copper-clad laminates and dielectric prepregs used to fabricate multilayer printed circuit boards (PCBs).
Isola has manufacturing, research and development, technical support and sales teams across Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Travis Kelly has been the Chairman and CEO of Isola Group since 2018.
Prior to that he was Senior Operating Executive and Chief Financial Officer for Cerberus Capital Management and served as a senior financial executive at Visteon Corporation.
Travis is also the Chairman of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America which was formed in 2021 to revitalize the domestic printed circuit board industry that had suffered a serious decline over the past 20 years.
Follow Isola on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Leonardo Electronics US, Inc. is a subsidiary of Leonardo and enables next-generation technologies in defense, security, medical and industrial segments. The US-based R&D and service provide nimble product development, program, support, and vertically integrated production of laser and electronic components and systems.
Leonardo’s expertise is in a broad range of engineering disciplines, supporting system integrators from design through high-volume production to meet performance, design, environmental, and cost demands.
Headquartered in Arlington, VA, with facilities in Tucson, AZ, and Huntsville, AL, Leonardo Electronics can provide full US design, customization, production, service, and support.
Monica McDade received her B.S. in Optical Engineering from the University of Arizona, and has 10 years of industry experience.
She joined Leonardo Electronics Inc., in 2014 as Engineering Assembly Manager, and is currently serving as Project Manager.
She uses her manufacturing, sales, and supply chain background to support New Product Introduction, moving cutting edge laser diode products from prototype to production.
Follow Leonardo Electronics US on LinkedIn.
Kiterocket advances the brands advancing the world through PR-forward communication services driven by connected category experts.
The agency’s services span brand strategy, media and influencer relations, digital marketing, social media, events, editorial, design, and content production, working in an integrated fashion to drive measurable and meaningful results.
Kiterocket prides itself on delivering exceptional ideas and execution to its clients in the technology and sustainable living sectors, earning its position as a valued partner and trusted ally. The company has offices in the historic Luhrs Tower in downtown Phoenix and in Seattle’s buzzing Ballard neighborhood.
Joe Cestari is a motivational, visionary leader who enjoys building, developing, and coaching teams and leading cultural transformation. Joe has a genuine care and concern for people and believes business is personal.
Equally comfortable in a startup, turnaround, or large-scale existing business, Joe expects to leverage his broad base of professional experience to challenge leaders to become high achievers in business and in their personal lives.
Joe has more than 25 years of global business experience and led the establishment of multiple entities in Asia (Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and China). These organizations were focused on high-purity process systems fabrication, installation, and service. Joe remains active in the high-technology market as an owner’s representative, business development executive, and strategic advisor.
Joe earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical and computer engineering from Baylor University and has completed graduate studies in international business and the management of technology.
Connect with Joe on LinkedIn.
About Your Hosts
Steve Zylstra serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, a role he assumed in 2007. He is responsible for strategy, operations, finance and policy development. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona.
Zylstra serves on numerous councils, committees and boards, was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, and “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal. In addition, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in technology from the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Ariz.
Zylstra earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering technology from Western Michigan University.
Karen Nowicki is a successful author, speaker and the creator of Deep Impact Leadership™ and SoulMarks Coaching™. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious national Choice Award® for her book and personal development retreat. Karen was crowned the first-ever “Mompreneur of the Year” Award in 2010 for the southwestern states. She was recognized for her leadership, business acumen, and work-life balance.
Karen has been an expert guest on regional TV and radio shows, including Fox Phoenix Morning Show, Sonoran Living, Good Morning Arizona, The Chat Room, and Mid-Day Arizona. She has been a regular contributor to many print and online magazines – publishing articles and blogs for business and education.
In addition to working with private coaching clients, Karen is also the Owner & President of Phoenix Business RadioX. The Business RadioX Network amplifies the voice of business – serving the Fortune 500,000, not just the Fortune 500. Phoenix Business RadioX helps local businesses and professional associations get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, profession, and community.
Of all the experiences Karen has had the privilege of participating in over her vast career, she shares that Phoenix Business RadioX is a pinnacle adventure!
Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and follow Phoenix Business RadioX on Facebook and Instagram.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Bianca Buliga is a trilingual first-generation American of Romanian ethnicity. A marketing professional with experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, Bianca currently works as Director, Marketing & Communications for the Arizona Technology Council.
Previously, Bianca worked as Marketing Communications Lead at Proctorio, a learning integrity platform that offers remote proctoring software ensuring exam integrity for learners around the world.
Bianca also worked as Senior Marketing Manager at SEED SPOT, a social impact incubator that educates, accelerates, and invests in impact-driven entrepreneurs creating market-based solutions to social problems. In January of 2020, Bianca was selected as an awardee of the Mandela Washington Reciprocal Exchange Program and traveled to the African island of Mauritius to run entrepreneurship programming for 15 impact-driven ecopreneurs on behalf of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Bianca has also completed comprehensive consulting projects for IBM, ESAN Business School, and the Peruvian government, and interned at the Arizona House of Representatives and U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, Romania.
Bianca earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from Northern Arizona University in 2014 and her Master’s degree in Global Affairs and Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in 2017. She is an avid reader, yogi, and world traveler always planning her next trip.
Connect with Bianca on LinkedIn.
About Our Sponsor
The Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s only statewide organization serving the technology sector, fosters a climate of innovation to enhance technology in Arizona.
A trusted resource in strengthening Arizona’s technology industry, the Council proactively eliminates impediments that companies face, accelerates the entrepreneurial mindset in the state’s expanding innovation ecosystem, and works to create a destination for companies to be, thrive and stay.
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