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 retired Lieutenant General Andy “Sparky” Croft for a captivating deep dive into a 34-year career in the United States Air Force. From humble beginnings as a struggling biochemistry student at UCLA to commanding over 38,000 personnel across multiple Air Force wings, Croft shares the pivotal moments, mission-critical lessons, and personal anecdotes that shaped his service and leadership journey.
Croft walks listeners through his unexpected entry into the Air Force, his evolution into an elite F-15 fighter pilot, and the rigorous training that defined his operational excellence. He also reflects on commanding complex air operations in Iraq, managing Southern Command’s multifaceted geopolitical challenges, and the role of AI and resilient communications systems in future military readiness. His perspective bridges tactical air combat, strategic command, and the human side of military service.
The episode concludes with Croft’s forward-looking insights on national security, satellite resilience, and mentoring future leaders. His story is a powerful reminder of how adaptability, discipline, and leadership can shape mission success—and lives—across generations.
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.
From combat flights over Afghanistan to overseeing two-thirds of the U.S. nuclear triad, retired Lt. Gen. Mark Weatherington has shaped some of the most critical defense strategies of our time. In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Weatherington for a wide-ranging conversation on military innovation, deterrence theory, and the operational realities of running America’s bomber fleet. With firsthand experience across Air Force Global Strike Command, NORAD, and strategic cyber operations, Weatherington reflects on what it takes to defend a nation in the age of AI, hypersonics, and digital warfare. Diving deeper into the nuances of military modernization, Weatherington explains the behind-the-scenes challenges of sustaining decades-old aircraft, advancing technologies like the B-21 Raider, and coordinating kinetic and non-kinetic strategies across a global battlefield. He also discusses the evolving landscape of unmanned systems, the increasing importance of microelectronics, and the overlooked role of sustainment in national security planning. His message is clear: the mission can’t succeed without adaptability, anticipation, and collaboration between government, industry, and allies. Whether you’re flying a 36-hour bomber mission or securing satellite communications from a cyberattack, success depends on more than firepower—it depends on foresight.
