"I have a keen interest in this industry and a desire to contribute to its growth and success," said Plzak. "I've seen many changes in the more than 20 years I've been a part of the industry, and as an active IPC member over this period, I have had the great fortune to meet and learn from many people inside and outside of the industry. This has certainly given me the opportunity to gain a broader perspective; one that will hopefully allow me to positively contribute in my new role."
Plzak believes the role of IPC Chairman requires collaborative leadership. "The vision and objectives of IPC are created by the needs of its members and articulated by focus groups, such as the ones we had in 2001. The execution of the strategies is coordinated and supported by the staff, with help from the many volunteers from within the industry. My role is to positively influence this process."
Throughout his two-year tenure, Plzak plans to oversee IPC in its efforts for the future, outlined in the IPC Long-Range Plan, which he was instrumental in developing. Plzak believes that as IPC improves its ability to listen to and learn from its members and nonmembers and alters its products, programs and services to better meet industry needs, his main objective can then be reached. "I would like to leverage IPC's past success and present position to improve the effectiveness of the electronic interconnect and manufacturing industry."
Plzak has actively participated in numerous IPC programs since the early 1980s. He assumed a leadership role in the EMSI Council, a management focused working group representing the contract manufacturing industry. Later, he became the Chair of the EMSI Steering Committee, holding this position until he accepted an invitation to join the IPC Board in 1997.
He has served as liaison to the Technical Activities Executive Committee (TAEC) and Committee Chairmen Council (CCC). Plzak also became actively involved in the creation of the Assembly Market Research Council (AMRC) before its merger with the Technology Market Research Council (TMRC); he still serves on the TMRC Steering Committee. In 2000, Plzak was elected to vice-chairman of the IPC board.
In other IPC Board changes, Peter Murphy, president and CEO of Parlex Corporation, became Chairman-Elect and Electronic Systems, Inc., President and CEO, Leo Reynolds, was re-elected as IPC Secretary/Treasurer.
For more information, contact IPC Communications Manager Joe Dudeck at JoeDudeck@ipc.org or 847-790-5371.
IPC is a U.S.-based trade association dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its more than 2,700 member companies which represent all facets of the electronic interconnection industry, including design, printed wiring board manufacturing and electronics assembly. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of a $44 billion U.S. industry employing more than 400,000 people.