As of May 13, 2025, the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA) continues to broaden its reach across the U.S. PCB ecosystem, adding major players and industry veterans to bolster its advocacy for domestic production.

Earlier this month, RTX became the first OEM to join PCBAA, expanding the association's representation to more than 70 companies spanning material suppliers, manufacturers, assemblers, and now original equipment makers. The inclusion of RTX underscores the growing urgency to rebuild U.S. PCB and IC substrate capacity to support both commercial innovation and national security.

“The more voices we have to advocate for our industry, the more attention and action we can bring,” said Shane Whiteside, PCBAA chairman and CEO of Summit Interconnect. “We hope other OEMs and companies throughout the value chain will join as we champion legislation and policies that incentivize domestic production of PCBs.”

Jennifer Pinson, Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain at Raytheon, emphasized the strategic implications: “The decline of U.S. PCB manufacturing presents serious issues for both competitiveness and national defense. Restoring and expanding domestic capabilities is more critical than ever, and PCBAA plays a vital role in that effort.”

PCBAA's work on Capitol Hill has helped elevate awareness among U.S. lawmakers about the essential role PCBs and IC substrates play in electronics and defense systems. Their campaign message—“Chips Don't Float”—reminds policymakers that every chip requires a reliable board to function.

In addition to welcoming RTX, PCBAA recently announced Jim Watkowski, Vice President of Circuitry Solutions at MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions, has joined its Board of Directors. A respected veteran with over 40 years in PWB manufacturing, Watkowski has authored technical chapters and articles, presented globally, and holds four U.S. patents. His appointment adds further technical depth and leadership to PCBAA's mission.

As the U.S. continues to push for stronger onshore electronics manufacturing, PCBAA's expanding membership and leadership signal growing industry alignment and support for legislative and strategic reforms.