MICRO JOURNEYS PODCAST
About Dan Marrujo
Daniel Marrujo is a former Chief Strategy Officer and former Director of the Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) at the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA).
Mr. Marrujo began his career at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ., developing missile guidance systems for their advanced programs. He then moved to DMEA, in his hometown of Sacramento, CA., working for the Trusted Integrated Circuit (IC) program office. In conjunction with working on the Trusted IC program, he began working towards the development of DMEA’s reliability capabilities and was selected to lead the National High Reliability Electronics Virtual Center (HiREV).
Mr. Marrujo also established the NRO’s VS&E program which has executed a number of solutions protecting National Security. As a subject matter expert, he has provided his technical expertise in multiple DARPA, IARPA and National Security Space programs. His focus areas are Microelectronics Obsolescence, State of the Art Microelectronics Acquisition, State of the Practice Microelectronics Sustainment, Advanced Packaging, Supply Chain Risk Management, Semiconductor Reliability, Semiconductor Reverse Engineering and Semiconductor Radiation Effects.
In 2016, Mr. Marrujo was selected as DMEA’s Chief Strategy Officer, directly supporting the DMEA directorate. In this position, Mr. Marrujo works with DMEA senior leadership to define and represent the integrated DMEA message and strategic path forward for future engagements.
Latest Episodes
In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Dr. Stacie Williams, Chief Science Officer for the U.S. Space Force. Dr. Williams shares her remarkable path from studying chemistry in Arkansas to leading science and technology initiatives that shape America’s role in space. Her journey spans academia, startups, national labs, and high-level defense leadership, offering listeners a rare look into the making of a scientist-leader at the forefront of national security.
The conversation digs into how passion, curiosity, and persistence fueled her career. From early experiences in male-dominated labs to advancing spectroscopy at Los Alamos, to leading programs at DARPA and AFRL, Dr. Williams emphasizes the importance of collaboration, engaging operators directly, and aligning research with real-world missions. She also opens up about the critical challenges Space Force faces today—balancing rapid innovation with long-term research investment, building a resilient workforce, and fostering global partnerships.
Ultimately, Dr. Williams highlights the central role science and technology play in both national defense and economic growth. Her insights underscore why consistent investment in early-stage research and stronger collaboration across government, industry, academia, and international allies are key to shaping the future of space operations.
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, and national security.
He opens up about lessons from combat, his time as staff director of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and his role in shaping defense policy during pivotal moments in U.S. history. The conversation also dives into his post-military career, including running his own firm, writing multiple books, and advancing defense industrial base reform to strengthen U.S. military readiness.
Ultimately, Punaro lays out a roadmap for sustaining America’s deterrence capabilities—emphasizing people, training, and technology—and why defense reform and innovation are essential to keeping the U.S. ahead of its adversaries.
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 the gap between government, business, and science to anticipate the challenges society will face in the years ahead.
The conversation dives into the role of the Potomac Institute as both a “think” and “do” tank—an organization that doesn’t just provide reports, but actively helps shape and implement meaningful policy options. Dr. Buss reflects on lessons from her career, including her early projects in semiconductors, her work with NASA on astronaut healthcare, and her insights into how following technology can often predict the trajectory of global events. She also discusses the Institute’s unique apolitical stance, its ability to convene thought leaders across sectors, and its ongoing mission to be ahead of its time.
At its core, the episode reveals how the Potomac Institute equips policymakers with data-driven insights to navigate uncertainty and prepare for the future. The solution, as Dr. Buss explains, lies in building trusted networks, staying apolitical, and tackling society’s biggest problems head-on.
