-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueLevel Up Your Design Skills
This month, our contributors discuss the PCB design classes available at IPC APEX EXPO 2024. As they explain, these courses cover everything from the basics of design through avoiding over-constraining high-speed boards, and so much more!
Opportunities and Challenges
In this issue, our expert contributors discuss the many opportunities and challenges in the PCB design community, and what can be done to grow the numbers of PCB designers—and design instructors.
Embedded Design Techniques
Our expert contributors provide the knowledge this month that designers need to be aware of to make intelligent, educated decisions about embedded design. Many design and manufacturing hurdles can trip up designers who are new to this technology.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
Mike Creeden: Care and Training of Your Designers
September 21, 2016 | Barry Matties and Judy Warner, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
The I-Connect007 team recently visited San Diego PCB Inc. and received a warm welcome from CEO Mike Creeden and his youthful-looking (relatively speaking) team of designers. Creeden spoke with Barry Matties and Judy Warner about what it takes to run a successful design service center, how to properly care for the PCB designers of today and tomorrow, and why IPC’s design training is paramount when training a new designer.
Barry Matties: Mike, tell us a little about yourself and San Diego PCB.
Mike Creeden: San Diego PCB was incorporated in June of 2003, so we are in our 13th year of existence, and as a professional, I am in my 40th year of doing this. That makes me sound old, but I don't feel old.
Matties: It does sound old. But you’re only as old as you feel, I guess.
Creeden: Well, here's why I don't feel old, it’s because I love what I do.
Matties: I guess it depends on when you started, because if you started when you were 40...
Creeden: Oh, I started when was two years old (laughs). No, I’ve had my 60th birthday, so...
Matties: Ah, so you started in your twenties?
Creeden: I started in my twenties, when I got out of the military. I was in the military in a short-range tactical nuclear missile unit. It was known as one of the deadliest and stupidest weapons ever made. People would say, "Not a good day to shoot this thing," and they'd check the wind. But I had a technical propensity back in the day, and so when I came out of the military, shortly thereafter, I started in this profession and there's been no looking back. I've had the privilege to work for a lot of different companies, from big-name companies to a lot of the different CAD companies. So I had the opportunity to learn a little bit about the business, the software that the business runs on, for PADS, now Mentor, and Cadence and Zuken.
What I found out is that, regardless of how good I did as a designer, I didn't always control my destiny, so to speak. I concluded that rather than just going to the companies, it made more sense for me to create a good CAD environment and let the companies come to me, and that's worked well. It works well because I take care of the designers, and that shows, and the customers like that. It's been the staple that gives our business a corporate signature and a corporate culture.
Matties: Just for context, tell us a little bit about San Diego PCB, what the mission is, and what you guys do.
Creeden: We have a mission statement, because that's what they say you're supposed to do when you have a corporation: have a corporate culture based on a mission statement. The mission statement is, essentially, to have revision 1 work, and I want quality, and I want to do it the best I can on time. Those are the three things that most people say, "You can have two of the three." I’m sure you've heard that said. To the best degree we can, we're trying to do all three. There's nothing magical about it; it's just good work and determination to try to do that.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the August 2016 issue of The PCB Design Magazine, click here.
Suggested Items
Two Industry Rising Stars Recognized at IPC APEX EXPO 2024
04/17/2024 | IPCTwo of the industry’s best and brightest were presented with an IPC Rising Star Award at IPC APEX EXPO 2024 in recognition of their leadership roles and support of IPC standards, education, advocacy, and solutions to industry challenges. Award recipients were Naim Kapadia and Michael Schleicher.
Two Long-time IPC Volunteers Receive Dieter Bergman IPC Fellowship Award
04/17/2024 | IPCThe Dieter Bergman IPC Fellowship award was presented to two IPC volunteers at IPC APEX EXPO 2024. The award recipients have fostered a collaborative spirit, made significant contributions to standards development, and have consistently demonstrated a commitment to global standardization efforts. Tiberiu Baranyi and Zhiman Chen were chosen as award recipients as they embody the work ethic and spirit of the late Dieter Bergman, an industry pioneer and icon. As part of the award, they bestowed Dieter Bergman Memorial Scholarships to the university or college of their choice.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: MYCRONIC's Evolution and New Solutions
04/17/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOHenry Crandall interviews Kevin Clue, the vice president of global sales for MYCRONIC's High Flex division. They discuss the company's evolution, emphasizing its strong customer relationships and its role as a versatile, turnkey solution provider. Kevin unveils new solutions launched at IPC APEX EXPO, including an AI-integrated inspection system and the A40 pick-and-place platform. The conversation also touches on the increased use of AI and deep learning.
Three Industry Leaders Receive IPC President’s Award
04/17/2024 | IPCIn recognition of their leadership and significant contributions of time and talent to IPC and the electronics industry, three IPC volunteers were presented with the IPC President’s Award at IPC APEX EXPO in Anaheim, Calif., on April 9, 2024.
Phil Kinner Pushes His Limits in Engineering and Running
04/17/2024 | Linda Stepanich, IPCEngineers break things on purpose. They like the challenge of putting things back together and making them stronger and more resilient. The skills engineers use to build products can also be used to rebuild their lives after a personal loss, something Phil Kinner learned when he laced up his running shoes after many years of a sedentary lifestyle.