The Interface

Episode 139: Jeff St. John

A conversation with Jeff St. John, Supervisor of Corporate Reporting and Accounts Payable for Amphenol Aerospace in Sidney, NY. Jeff has been with Amphenol for nine years. We talk about the various responsibilities of his role, managing multiple entities, meeting deadlines, and ensuring that we accurately report the numbers. We talk about continuing to learn from the experts at Amphenol on how to use the numbers to shape strategy and direction. We talk about growing up in nearby Oneonta, NY, excelling in math, and finding a love of playing the tuba, which he continues to this day. We talk about how accounting and playing the tuba satisfy both his analytical and creative minds and are both vital in establishing the foundation for a successful group. We talk about his love of auto racing. And we discuss his desert island album, book, and movie. This is The Interface.

Hosted by Chris Cappello. Music by Square Seed.

For The Interface podcast guest inquiries and suggestions: send an email to ccappello@amphenol-aao.com or LinkedIn message to https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjcappello.

Episode 138: Vishal Chandrasekar

A conversation with Vishal Chandrasekar, Product Line Manager for the OverPass products, which are part of the Amphenol High Speed IO group. Vishal recently joined Amphenol, but has worked in the IT/datacom industry for years. We talk about OverPass and its significant market potential in data centers, telecom, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other markets. We talk about its performance vs. the limitations of PCB copper in reaching 112 and ultimately 224Gbps. We talk about living in Dubai until the age of 10, living in India through his undergraduate days studying electrical engineering, then living in Ithaca, NY, while doing his graduate work at Cornell University. We talk about his anticipation of being a first-time father. And we discuss his desert island album, book, and movie. This is The Interface. NOTE: Jai Chandrasekar was born on May 23rd. Both mother and child are doing great.

Hosted by Chris Cappello. Music by Square Seed.

For The Interface podcast guest inquiries and suggestions: send an email to ccappello@amphenol-aao.com or LinkedIn message to https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjcappello.

Episode 137: Ellen Haight

A conversation with Ellen Haight, Active Optical Cable Product Manager for Amphenol Communications Solutions Division. Ellen is based out of Nashua, NH, and has been with Amphenol since 2001. We talk about her product line, how it's been growing for the past few years, and the best applications for active optical cables. We talk about growing up in New Jersey, going to Rensselear Polytechnic Institute for industrial engineering, then going to Proctor and Gamble diaper college for her first job. We talk about leaving work to travel around the world for six months with her best friend and how much she learned from the experience. We talk about returning and doing an internship with Teradyne before Amphenol acquired it and ultimately staying for good. We talk about spending time with her family when she's not working. And we discuss her desert island album, book, and movie. This is The Interface.

Hosted by Chris Cappello. Music by Square Seed.

For The Interface podcast guest inquiries and suggestions: send an email to ccappello@amphenol-aao.com or LinkedIn message to https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjcappello.

Episode 136: Brian Kirk

A conversation with Brian Kirk, Chief Technology Officer for Amphenol High Speed Group, part of Amphenol Communications Solutions. Brian is based in Nashua, NH, and has been with Amphenol since 2004. We talk about his work with not only the high-speed team but the backplane team, the optics team, and the mezzanine products team. We talk about seeing a constant adjustment of system architectures which keeps the job fresh. We talk about his time at the University of Vermont, including building and racing a solar-powered car from New York to Philadelphia. We talk about being a teaching assistant at the University of New Hampshire when he first connected with Teradyne. We talk about how working with connectors may not seem exciting, but it gives him access to the latest and greatest technologies. And we discuss his desert island album, book, and movie. This is The Interface.

Hosted by Chris Cappello. Music by Square Seed.

For The Interface podcast guest inquiries and suggestions: send an email to ccappello@amphenol-aao.com or LinkedIn message to https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjcappello.

Episode 135: Harsh Patel

A conversation with Harsh Patel, Senior Field Application Engineer for Amphenol Communications Solutions Division with a focus on the automotive industry. We talk about his name and how it means "joyful" in his native language. We talk about his excitement about working in the automotive industry, especially with so many new products coming to market. We talk about the pros and cons of the many standards in the emerging sub-markets while being confident we have the portfolio to match any need. We talk about being born in India, moving to Canada as a young boy, and spending a lot of time with his friends programming Raspberry Pis. We talk about his love of running marathons, his improvements, and his goal of a sub-3-hour finish. And we discuss his desert island album, book, and movie. This is The Interface.

Hosted by Chris Cappello. Music by Square Seed.

For The Interface podcast guest inquiries and suggestions: send an email to ccappello@amphenol-aao.com or LinkedIn message to https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjcappello.

Episode 134: Jim David

A conversation with Jim David, Global Product Manager for the OverPass products from Amphenol Communications Solutions. Jim has been with the same company, which ultimately became Amphenol, for over 40 years and is retiring later this year. First, we talk about developing the new OverPass products and working with customers looking to add this cutting-edge new technology. Then we talk about the privilege of working for the last 40 years with such intelligent and dedicated people. We talk about advice he received throughout his career that has stuck with him. We talk about the mentors that helped guide him, especially his father, from whom he learned what it meant to work hard and sacrifice for the family. We talk about his plans once he retires, and, of course, we discuss his desert island album, book, and movie. This is The Interface.

Hosted by Chris Cappello. Music by Square Seed.

For The Interface podcast guest inquiries and suggestions: send an email to ccappello@amphenol-aao.com or LinkedIn message to https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjcappello.

Episode 133: Jason Ellison

A conversation with Jason Ellison, Principal Engineer for Amphenol Communications Solutions. Jason is based out of Pennsylvania and has been with Amphenol for over ten years. We talk about his work on the ExaMAX2® High Speed Backplane Connector Series, which was developed for 112 Gb/s applications. We talk about how complex data center system architecture is and how difficult it can be to explain it to the layperson. We talk about signal integrity engineering and how he dedicates time every week to make sure he's up to speed on the latest developments. We talk about his time in the Army National Guard, being deployed overseas, and the lessons he learned about self-motivation, teamwork, and respect. We talk about growing up and observing his uncle as a tinkerer and how he's become the tinkerer for his kids and their toys. And we discuss his desert island album, book, and movie. This is The Interface.

Hosted by Chris Cappello. Music by Square Seed.

For The Interface podcast guest inquiries and suggestions: send an email to ccappello@amphenol-aao.com or LinkedIn message to https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjcappello.

Episode 132: Matt Burke

A conversation with Matt Burke, Global Director of Sales for Amphenol RF out of Danbury, CT. Matt has been with Amphenol for 20 years. We talk about his promotion to his current role where, in addition to the sales team, he manages program management, applications engineering, customer service, and a more proactive online presence to get closer to their customers. We talk about growing up as a huge sports fan just outside of the New York area, going to UMass Lowell for civil engineering, before finding his niche as a sales engineer for a materials company. We talk about his approach to sales, figuring out the best plan to succeed, and treating it like a sports competition. We talk about the hobby that takes up most of his time -- dirt track racing. And we discuss his desert island album, book, and movie. This is The Interface.

Hosted by Chris Cappello. Music by Square Seed.

For The Interface podcast guest inquiries and suggestions: send an email to ccappello@amphenol-aao.com or LinkedIn message to https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjcappello.

Episode 131: Stephen Jeremia

A conversation with Stephen Jeremia, Group Business Development Manager for Amphenol RF, Optics, and Broadband Group. Stephen works out of Wallingford, CT, and has been will Amphenol full-time for one year after interning in the summer of 2020.  We talk about his new role with ARFOB group, acknowledging how much he's learned in a short period of time, but more importantly, realizing how much more there is to learn about the group. We talk about growing up in Indonesia until he was 16, then moving, by himself, to Canada to further his education and opportunities. We talk about his immersion into flight simulators in his free time, including the joy of virtually flying by our corporate headquarters. And we discuss his desert island album, book, and movie. This is The Interface.

Hosted by Chris Cappello. Music by Square Seed.

For The Interface podcast guest inquiries and suggestions: send an email to ccappello@amphenol-aao.com or LinkedIn message to https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjcappello.

Episode 130: Sarah Dwyer

A conversation with Sarah Dwyer, the new Group HR Director for Amphenol RF Optics and Broadband. Sarah is based out of Wallingford, CT, and has only been with Amphenol for five months but already feels so comfortable that it feels like five years. We talk about becoming familiar with the various businesses within ARFOB, their products, their unique cultures, and how they fit into the overall group. We talk about looking at her role in HR in a more proactive way as a key business partner, but also overseeing their key services such as hiring, compensation, and benefits. We talk about being born and raised in England and knowing at a young age that human resources was the career for her. We talk about getting married, moving to the United States over 20 years ago, and finding a home in Vermont. And we discuss her desert island album, book, and movie. This is The Interface.

Hosted by Chris Cappello. Music by Square Seed.

For The Interface podcast guest inquiries and suggestions: send an email to ccappello@amphenol-aao.com or LinkedIn message to https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjcappello.