USPAE’s Jim Will on PCBMC, Defense Needs, and Onshoring

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Jim Will has assumed the role of executive director of the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE). In his first interview with I-Connect007, Jim discusses his background in the commercial and defense industries, emphasizing U.S. defense assured electronics needs. His passion shows through as he discusses USPAE initiatives and looks forward to finding ways for partner organizations to work more closely together.

Marcy LaRont: Jim, congratulations on your new role. What experiences have prepared you for this position?

Jim Will: Thank you. I am excited to join USPAE as the new executive director. It’s an honor to serve the electronics industry and U.S. government stakeholders to focus on solutions that promote the supply of assured electronics critical to national security and our economic growth. Electronics are the backbone of modern technology and our lifestyle.

In the first phase of my career, I was involved in off-shoring efforts that took advantage of favorable business environments elsewhere. The electronics industrial base contraction in the U.S., a result of off-shoring, led me to more stable work opportunities in the defense and national security sector as a contractor supporting the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration and DoD strategic partnership programs.

LaRont: What did you learn during that time?

Will: This was when I understood the challenges, as a result of off-shoring, with assuring the electronics supply to some of our most critical strategic systems. It was also when I learned the true meaning of “mission.” I understand that commercialization is vital to a robust and resilient business, particularly for non-traditional defense market players. Though similar challenges present to maintain assured supply due to off-shore pull, the concerns for geopolitical competition and lessons learned from the COVID pandemic now dominate the landscape.

Nolan Johnson: Tell us a little bit about the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) and your involvement there.

Will: I have supported NDIA for several years. I co-lead the Defense Industrial Base and Policy Subcommittee within the Electronics Division with Dr. Michael Fritzi. Similar to USPAE, the NDIA Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and Policy subcommittee coordinate industry input to advise government and stakeholders on supply chain and policy solutions for assured electronics. This certainly helped in preparation for my USPAE role.

LaRont: USPAE's Printed Circuit Board Market Catalyst Project (PCBMC) is meant to take a deep dive into substrate and cutting-edge UHDI packaging technology assured electronics needs. What more can you tell us?

Will: It is a very important effort that considers critical technology and assured supply needs. We rely on supply from Asia, mostly China for UHDI, due to the gap in onshore manufacturing capability. This is a national security issue. Concerns include risk for compromise as well as access. As a result, U.S. defense manufacturers are driven to use older substrates integrated with more complex and costly interconnect technology, such as interposers, sacrificing SWAP (size, weight power), which increases both cost and complexity.

PCBMC engages industry input and considers alternatives such as public-private partnership (PPP) models that leverage the strengths of government and private industry. This de-risks the taxpayer because the government's investment will stay on shore, and the equipment, infrastructure, and workforce will be developed as a result.

LaRont: Perhaps a more formalized public-private partnership approach will be a model for better partnerships between the government and businesses in the future.

Will: Strengthening public-private sector collaboration is critical to both U.S. national security and economic growth.  It's a very strategic approach that enables access to manufacturing capability and technology, catalyzes demand, and enables onshore commercial industry. There are many examples including PPPs in process or already established through CHIPS for America.

Johnson: Jim, what are your immediate goals in this new position?

Will: I'm most looking forward to connecting and serving government and industry.

As a trusted third party, USPAE will continue to focus on connecting industry and U.S. government stakeholders to collaborate on solutions to improve assurance and promote resiliency in the electronics supply chain. This includes executing and expanding USPAE signature programs such as Defense Business Accelerator (DBX) and PCB Market Catalyst (PCBMC). USPAE will collaborate with traditional and non-traditional defense businesses, industrial organizations, academia, allied partners, and other resources that bring expertise to bear or who are interested in partnering on solutions that address assured electronics needs.

LaRont: Jim, what do your next 90 days look like?

Will: The next 90 days or so will be busy. I will be working to connect with industry, alliance partners, USG, and stakeholders to understand assured electronics needs to identify opportunities for USPAE alliance members, IPC, and partner organizations to work to establish assured electronics supply chains.

We are planning the USPAE annual Alliance Member meeting Sept. 25–26 at the Hilton Arlington National Landing. Stay tuned for the preliminary agenda and link for hotel reservation.

Finally, I am very eager to engage our alliance partners, USG, and stakeholders to build on and expand the network. As a nonprofit and non-lobby, becoming a USPAE alliance member is free.

Johnson: What are the steps for getting involved?

Will: The first step is to contact me at JimWill@uspae.org or visit USPAE.org. I look forward to engaging with those interested in learning more.

LaRont: Jim, we are happy to have you in this position. Welcome and congratulations.

Will: Thank you.