2025 continues to be a roller coaster ride with a LOT of change! Starting the year off with an administration change, several executive orders, including a recent order changing the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War. As the old adage goes: “Nothing is consistent but change,” this month’s WTKFTCEO focuses on what we are doing to remain aligned, strategic, and focused on warfighter support.

One of the things that sets MMEC apart from other organizations is our commitment to the military and our warfighters. Assuring superior operational capability, while driving state of the art technology are key tenets to our “north star” in implementing MMEC’s ACE (Accelerate, Collaborate, Execute) model. Our team is comprised of technical experts who have worked with the USAF, USSF, USN, USA, DARPA and many other agencies that depend on a secure, reliable and trusted supply chain to execute their mission. The knowledge and expertise held across our MMEC team assures we remain aligned with the purpose driven missions of our military. In addition to the technical expertise of our team, we have strong leadership that has served in strategic positions across government and industry who know how to get the job done. Over the last two years, I will share that I am most proud when we have all this expertise, experience and knowledge in one room! Talk about high-octane…our meetings are filled with lively, spirited and invigorating discussion that results in action items that catapult us forward.

Another key aspect of MMEC is that we exist for our hub members! We recognize the capability needs, mission objectives and warfighter requirements well and further translate these into specifications needed by major weapon systems. Furthermore, we can quickly respond to commercial needs as well, leveraging our initiatives across the military-commercial landscape. Our role-based membership, best idea governance strategy and “No-Excuse” roadmap ensure we remain focused on the solution set, retain your valuable IP and move fast with responsive prototypes. We are also focused beyond ME Commons, assessing opportunities for our members that can leverage CHIPS Act funding, other sources of capital and external funding that can grow our hub and your company. Our goal is not just the development of technology but delivering across the board capabilities!!!

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight our strategic legislative engagements. Whether it addresses policy, security, technology or infrastructure, MMEC is working with decision makers and influencing strategy to grow our national semiconductor workforce, strengthen economic competitiveness and secure our domestic supply chain. Our vision to accelerate lab to fab, accelerate growth and reach a national competitive edge faster is in the forefront of our mind! Partnering with other regions, collaborating with institutions around the country and accelerating innovation through co-investment, advanced prototyping and supporting our national eco-system is one of our top goals for 2026!

I am excited for the future of MMEC and confident that our partnership with you will cement our nation’s place as the leader in the development and manufacturing of semiconductors for the world. No doubt, it will take time, money and a lot of discipline, but we will achieve it…with your help and commitment! Thank you for being a part of the best hub in the nation!