PCEA Honored Four Industry Veterans With Awards
The Printed Circuit Engineering Association recognized four leaders for their extensive contributions to the electronics industry.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Awards
The Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA) bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award upon industry veterans Rick Hartley, Susy Webb, Gary Ferrari, and Hayao Nakahara. The honors were presented during the association's annual meeting at the PCB West conference.
Why it matters
These awards celebrate decades of professional service and knowledge-sharing that have shaped the standards of the modern printed circuit design industry. The recipients were chosen for their ongoing commitment to leadership and educational service within the sector.
Award honorees bring extensive experience, ranging from Gary Ferrari's decade-long tenure leading the Designers Council to Rick Hartley's 50-year career in electronics design. Hayao Nakahara has also maintained the NTI-100 board fabricator list for over 30 years.
The players
Rick Hartley
He is a cofounder of the PCEA who brings 50 years of experience in the electronics design industry.
Susy Webb
A PCB designer with 40 years of experience, she taught at PCB East and PCB West for nearly 20 years.
Gary Ferrari
He served as the executive director of the Designers Council for more than a decade.
Hayao Nakahara
He is an industry expert who has produced the NTI-100 list of board fabricators for over 30 years.
Printed Circuit Engineering Association
This organization supports professionals in the electronics industry through knowledge sharing and networking.
The details
The PCEA recognized these individuals for their roles in advancing the printed circuit field through leadership, teaching, and industry analysis. Recipients have contributed to the community in various capacities, including founding the association and instructing at major industry conferences.
Timeline
Gary Ferrari began promoting the design profession in the 1990s.
Rick Hartley cofounded the PCEA in 2020.
The PCEA presented the Lifetime Achievement Awards on September 29, 2026.
Culture Shift
The recognition of these veterans highlights a broader trend of honoring foundational expertise in an industry rapidly moving toward automation. By celebrating human mentorship and historical contributions, the PCEA reinforces the importance of long-term community service over purely technical output.
For local professionals in Santa Clara, these awards underscore the high concentration of industry expertise present at major regional conferences. Attendees of future PCB events can expect continued access to mentorship from leaders who have shaped the sector for decades.
The takeaway
Recognizing long-term expertise helps preserve essential knowledge within rapidly evolving engineering fields. Professionals looking to advance their careers should prioritize mentorship and community service to build a lasting industry footprint.
Further reading
Learn more about professional recognition in the industry by visiting the Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EMSNow.
