Elementary, Mr. Watson: Waking Up Europe's PCB Giants
Connect the Dots: Getting the PCB Quote Right
Powering the Future: What Engineers Get Wrong About Designing for Reliability
KYZEN, the global leader in innovative environmentally responsible cleaning chemistries and Magnalytix, industry leader in providing real-time reliability solutions are excited to announce that Dr. Mike Bixenman, co-founder, current CTO and Chairman Emeritus of KYZEN and Subject Matter Expert - Cleaning and Reliability for Magnalytix, has been recognized by Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) as the recipient of the organization’s 2026 Founder’s Award.
The SMTA Founder’s Award is presented to SMTA members who have made significant long-term contributions to the industry while maintaining continued support and service to the organization.
“We are extremely proud of Mike Bixenman and his recognition with the SMTA Founder’s Award,” said Kyle Doyel, KYZEN co-founder and CEO, “Mike’s importance as an expert voice in the electronics industry and his foundational role in the establishment and growth of KYZEN from our earliest days can’t be overstated and, on behalf of our whole KYZEN team, we congratulate Mike for this well-deserved honor.”
Bixenman has more than three decades of experience in the electronics industry and serves as a subject matter expert in electronics reliability. He has been and remains active in developing industry standards and has either published or jointly published hundreds of technical papers and presentations that have been given around the world. A proud continuous learner, Bixenman holds four degrees including an Associate of Engineering, Bachelor of Science, Master of Business Administration, and Doctorate in Business Administration.
“By his nature, Mike is a teacher,” said the SMTA member who nominated Bixenman for the Founder’s Award, “Presenting and publishing technical articles is one way he serves but he also visits and educates at companies all around the world. ‘Sharing Technical Knowledge’ [according to the mission of SMTA] is what he does best.”
In addition to his role with KYZEN, Bixenman co-founded Magnalytix in 2021 and has led the growth of the company specializing in providing real-time reliability solutions to electronics manufacturers through industry-leading SIR testing services.
Bixenman will officially receive the 2026 SMTA Founder’s Award at SMTA International in the awards ceremony during the SMTA Recognition Dinner scheduled for Monday, October 26 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.
