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
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 Warthog, to combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, to strategic war gaming at the Pentagon. Along the way, Dave shares candid stories about leadership, adaptability, and the moments that defined his service.
The conversation dives into his call sign’s unusual origin, the evolution of Air Force technology, the art and skill behind precision flying without GPS, and the controlled chaos of close air support missions. Dave also lifts the curtain on high-stakes war games, offering insight into how the U.S. military anticipates future conflicts and adapts strategy.
Now retired from the Air Force, Dave has transitioned to flying in the private sector while continuing to work on bridging the gap between emerging technologies and operational needs. His story is a masterclass in leadership, decision-making under pressure, and staying ahead in a rapidly changing world.
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 insights into the increasingly complex and critical world of integrated circuit manufacturing. Together, they unpack how lithography—and specifically photomask technology—serves as a foundational element in chip production.
The conversation dives deep into the challenges and vulnerabilities of the semiconductor supply chain, especially as it relates to national security, design integrity, and legacy system sustainment. Chris outlines how photomasks—often an overlooked component—are in fact a critical security checkpoint where subtle flaws or malicious changes can have downstream impacts on everything from defense systems to commercial electronics. He also sheds light on how the CHIPS Act’s trickle-down approach left gaps in the domestic mask-making infrastructure, and what it means for U.S. manufacturing resilience moving forward.
To close, Chris explores how Photronics is focusing on democratizing access to ASIC prototyping, lowering barriers to entry, and bringing computation into the mask design and production process. From advocating for digital twins to bolstering U.S. mask manufacturing capabilities, Chris paints a forward-thinking vision for how the industry can innovate while staying secure and responsive to future needs.
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 Polar’s transformation from a foreign-owned internal manufacturing facility to a U.S.-owned merchant foundry and details how that evolution aligns with national strategic goals.
Surya dives into how Polar’s specialty in power semiconductors—used in everything from cars and medical devices to aerospace and defense—is addressing a critical gap in the U.S. semiconductor supply chain. The conversation explores why mature nodes, compound semiconductors like gallium nitride, and foundry flexibility matter just as much as bleeding-edge logic chips. Surya also reveals Polar’s strategic CHIPS Act-funded expansion and what it means for workforce development, cybersecurity, and national resilience.
Tune in and listen to this episode to understand how Polar Semiconductor is reshaping America’s semiconductor narrative—not by chasing hype, but by building the backbone of the technologies that keep our world running.
