Suzanne Gartlan, Director of Global Sales, IEH Corporation

Suzanne is the global director of sales at IEH connectors. She is responsible for business development as well as sales nationally and internationally. She has championed multiple platforms in our industry through mil-defense, space, aerospace, medical as well as oil and gas. She has been an active member with VITA for the last eight years and has been a program manager for developing the high speed connectors at IEH. Suzanne is looking forward to working with VITA and the trajectory of the continued growth of VITA’s platform.

WORKING WITH VITA

1. What role does VITA’s Community play in helping the larger embedded computing ecosystem?

I believe it is multi faceted in the role it plays in embedded systems. It has a large responsibility in supporting as well as educating engineers in the field on what is the best option for their design.

2. For someone not familiar with VITA, what are the key elements to understanding the benefits of VITA Standard that provides improved capability to the end users?

To educate and help engineers with ease of design. It benefits them to know what the capabilities are of the various standard as well as what is the interoperability provided by the standards. The more guidance the standards can provide the better opportunity the engineer has for developing higher quality products.

WHY ENGINEERING?

1. Did you always want to be in high tech? If so, why? If not, how’d you wind up here?

I wanted to work with extraordinary people with extraordinary designs. I was always interested in how things were made and was mesmerized by flight.

2. What has surprised you the most about the work you do with VITA?

How much I have enjoyed the people. I have learned so much from the brilliance and passions from the various VITA members.

3. What is one of the biggest issues currently facing our Aerospace & Defense community?

Being technically advantaged over our adversaries to provide strategic deterrence. We need to have a more proactive approach to next level design.

4. What advice would you give to someone looking into this field?

Never get complacent and try to learn something new every day.

Off the cuff: Is there a new piece of tech coming out that you’re waiting to get your hands on?

Flying cars!