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 John Costello, a seasoned executive with an incredible journey that spans from a blue-collar upbringing in Chicago to leading global aerospace and defense initiatives at Microchip Technology. John’s life reads like a movie script—navigating family ties to organized crime, writing a memoir titled Executive Hoodlum, influencing semiconductor policy at the highest levels of government, and playing a pivotal role in programs that shape U.S. national security.
John shares the evolution of his career, the lessons learned from a gritty start, and how he blended technical expertise with political savvy to impact the semiconductor industry and defense ecosystem. From close calls abroad to policy wins in Washington, this conversation uncovers the resilience and strategic thinking required to thrive in both corporate boardrooms and government halls.
As we dig deeper, John reflects on balancing a complex personal history with professional ambitions and the critical work Microchip is doing today to strengthen the defense supply chain, pioneer high-performance space computing, and back up vital systems like GPS. This episode is a rare look into how personal grit and professional innovation intersect on a global stage.
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.
