Would you be able to describe what a semiconductor is?
A lot of us probably can’t, but they’re essential to modern life as we know it.
Today, we’re headed to NeoCity and the Central Florida Semiconductor Innovation Engine to talk with CEO Tawny Olore. This Regional Innovation Engine, funded by the US National Science Foundation, is taking on the major project of developing an ecosystem for producing semiconductors in central Florida that can be translated to other regions.
In our conversation, Tawny explains what semiconductors are, how they impact all of our lives, and why building semiconductor ecosystems isn’t just a matter of economics, but one of national security.
Tawny Olore serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the NSF Central Florida Semiconductor Innovation Engine, where she is responsible for developing a semiconductor ecosystem in Central Florida that can translate to other regions in the United States. Prior to her role, Tawny served as Osceola County’s Deputy County Manager, responsible for the oversight and management of the Transportation and Transit, Public Works, Real Estate and Right of Way, and Information Technology departments. She has also served as Program Manager for the FDOT Rail Transit program for District Five, specifically managing all aspects of SunRail, Central Florida’s Commuter Rail project – a 61-mile system with 12 stations traversing through a multiple of jurisdictions including four counties and 11 cities.
Click here to listen to this episode on your favorite podcast player!
Listen to the full episode to hear:
- How advanced packaging of semiconductors drives innovation in everything from healthcare to home electronics
- How the Semiconductor Innovation Engine will bring high-wage jobs to an area historically driven by tourism
- How the supply chain issues of the pandemic highlighted the need to bring semiconductor production to the US
- The key partners across research, education, and economic development that have joined the engine
- How research and development in partnership with the engine will drive innovation in other sectors like supercomputing and data centers
- How the engine will measure their success in the region from creating jobs to cutting commute times