From cutting-edge defense systems to reshaping global energy infrastructure, Russ Garcia’s career has been anything but ordinary. In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Russ, now CEO of Menlo Micro, to trace the arc of a career that began in laser labs and radar systems and now finds him leading innovations in microelectromechanical switch technology. With a personal history steeped in engineering and mentorship, Russ brings a unique perspective to building technologies that have moved from Cold War defense systems to powering the AI age. Diving deeper, Russ unpacks the origin and potential of Menlo Micro’s “Ideal Switch”—a breakthrough in hardware miniaturization and energy efficiency originally developed within GE’s R&D labs. He explains how this micro switch, born from a desire to reinvent the 150-year-old circuit breaker, now sits at the intersection of defense, energy, and AI. With applications ranging from nuclear submarines to distributed data center grids, the Ideal Switch is shaping the physical backbone of the technologies transforming our world. By championing dual-use technology and rethinking conventional approaches to manufacturing, Russ is helping to reshape how we think about scale, sustainability, and supply chains. His story isn’t just about one innovation—it’s about building a resilient future through strategic thinking, collaboration, and a deep understanding of how old systems can give way to new possibilities.
