Major General Arnold Punaro on Vietnam, Capitol Hill, and the Future of Defense
In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Major General Arnold Punaro to explore his extraordinary career spanning the U.S. Marine Corps, Capitol Hill, and the private sector. From his service as a young platoon commander in Vietnam to leading reform efforts in Washington, Punaro shares candid stories of leadership, sacrifice, […]
Ahead of the Curve: Dr. Jennifer Buss on Science, Policy, and the Future of Technology
In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo welcomes Dr. Jennifer Buss, CEO of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. Dr. Buss shares her journey from earning a PhD in biochemistry to leading one of Washington D.C.’s most respected science and technology policy think tanks. Along the way, she highlights how the Institute bridges […]
Inside Penguin Solutions: Building the Future of AI Infrastructure
In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Mark Adams, President and CEO of Penguin Solutions (formerly Smart Global Holdings), to explore his incredible trajectory—from college football at Boston College to the upper echelons of the tech industry. Mark shares his transition from sales leadership to executive roles at Lexar, Micron, […]
How Trusted Strategic Solutions Is Redefining Microelectronics, Defense, and Strategy
In this episode of Micro Journeys, Victoria turns the mic on host Daniel Marrujo for an in-depth conversation about his remarkable career path—from an early fascination with engineering to becoming the founder of Trusted Strategic Solutions (TSS). Daniel shares how his background in microelectronics and defense has shaped his approach to bridging gaps between government, […]
Inside the Cockpit and the War Room with Dave “Trashman” Hicks
From a small-town kid in Paris, Tennessee, to a decorated Brigadier General in the United States Air Force, Dave “Trashman” Hicks has led an extraordinary life. In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Dave to explore his path—from his time at the Air Force Academy and flying the legendary A-10 […]
The Art of Lithography: Precision, Security, and the Future of Chips
In this episode of Micro Journeys, Daniel Marrujo sits down with Chris Progler, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Photronics, for an in-depth conversation on the evolving role of photomasks in the global semiconductor ecosystem. From his early fascination with optics to his journey through IBM, Texas Instruments, and ultimately Photronics, Chris shares […]
Inside Polar Semiconductor: The Quiet Engine Behind U.S. Tech Resilience
In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo visits Polar Semiconductor in Minnesota to sit down with Surya Iyer, President and COO of the company. As the U.S. pushes for domestic semiconductor self-sufficiency, Polar is emerging as a key player with a distinct edge: power semiconductors and sensors manufactured at mature nodes. Surya shares […]
Can Digital Twins Revolutionize Chip Manufacturing? Rick Gottscho Thinks So.
In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Rick Gottscho to explore a remarkable career that has spanned scientific curiosity, groundbreaking plasma research, and leading roles shaping the semiconductor industry. From childhood fascinations with the periodic table and science fiction, to hands-on experimental research at MIT, Rick’s journey showcases how a […]
Taking microelectronic technologies from lab to fab – the importance of public private partnerships
In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Raj Jammy, a seasoned leader whose career spans semiconductor research, manufacturing, and critical public-private initiatives shaping the future of microelectronics. From growing up in India, dismantling toys to understand how they worked, to spearheading pivotal semiconductor R&D partnerships in the U.S., Raj shares […]
Tech as a Service: How SkyWater Is Reshaping U.S. Semiconductor Manufacturing
As SkyWater Technology closes its acquisition of Infineon’s Fab 25 in Austin, Director and CEO Thomas Sonderman joins host Daniel Marrujo to discuss what this milestone means for the future of domestic semiconductor innovation. With facilities now operating in Minnesota, Florida, and Texas, SkyWater is carving out a new model for microelectronics: one that centers […]