Distributed manufacturing for the post COVID world
Panel Discussion with Joseph Janda, Jessica Gomez, and Juan Barraza
Joseph Janda
Assistant Vice President, Research and Graduate Studies
Portland State University
Joseph Janda is Vice President (AVP) in Research and Graduate Studies (RGS) leads the innovation commercialization activities of Portland State University, including intellectual property development and licensing, entrepreneurship training and support, engagement with the entrepreneurship ecosystem, and engagement with faculty and research groups to grow their research portfolios with an awareness of impact, commercial, and IP consideratons. Joe’s work with InventOR will be in connecting university assets to the program, securing external funding for support, and oversight of the program to ensure it effectively leverages assets across the university that plug into invention and entrepreneurship.
Jessica Gomez
CEO
Rogue Valley Microdevices
As founder and CEO of Rogue Valley Microdevices, Jessica Gomez has created a world-class precision MEMS foundry in the heart of Southern Oregon. Integral to her role as CEO, Ms. Gomez practices a business philosophy of offering best-in-class process technology and R&D expertise to customers, to help them achieve the highest quality and reliability in their products.
Prior to founding Rogue Valley Microdevices in 2003, Ms. Gomez honed her experience in semiconductor processing and production management through positions at Standard Microsystems Corporation, Integrated Micromachines, and Xponent Photonics.
Ms. Gomez plays an active leadership role within and beyond the technology industry. She is a board member of the prestigious SEMI Board of Industry Leaders, and she is the first executive selected for Spotlight on SEMI Women, which honors accomplished women in the global microelectronics industry.
Ms. Gomez is also engaged in STEM and workforce development within the state of Oregon. She is chairman of the Oregon Institute of Technology Board of Trustees, is a board member of Oregon Business Development Commission, is a board member of Center for Women’s Leadership, is a board member of the STEM Investment Council, and is vice-chair of the State Workforce Investment Board.
Juan Barraza
Director of Student Innovation
Portland State University Center for Entrepreneurship
Juan Barraza’s experience spans all facets of the startup trenches, as a founder of a Digital Health startup, lead organizer of Portland Startup Weekend Latino, and Founder of Latino Founders a professional organization empowering the next generation of Latino entrepreneurs. His passion for growing entrepreneurs is infectious. Juan believes that entrepreneurship is a great equalizer in society and any individual with an idea or concept and strong work ethic can create a great venture with a direct economic impact on family and community. Juan leads all Center for Entrepreneurship Student Innovation programming efforts and communications, weaving entrepreneurship into the fabric of the daily activities of students and faculty at PSU. Specifically the signature PSU Cleantech Challenge and InventOR. He brings in-depth knowledge of strategic planning and implementation of product and services rollouts and has a track record of building and leading diverse, collaborative teams.