# Electro Soft CEO Karla Trotman, on Reaching the Top

- Show: [EE Times Current](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current)
- Published: 2023-08-15
- Length: 27m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-08-15-electro-soft-ceo-karla-trotman-on-reaching-the-top
- Listen: https://podcast.show/aspencore/episode/114688770/

## Summary

Electrosoft CEO Carla Trotman discusses her journey leading the electronics contract manufacturing (ECM) firm, highlighting challenges in supply chain de-risking, semiconductor lead times, and the systemic barriers faced by minority-owned businesses in securing investment. She details how Electrosoft navigates component shortages by collaborating with clients on redesigns using stocking distributors, while avoiding direct design engineering to maintain ISO certification. Trotman also reflects on the racial and gender biases in the industry, the importance of the Black Women’s Collective (BOW Collective), and her strategy of visible mentorship to inspire the next generation of diverse engineers.

## Chapters

- [1:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-08-15-electro-soft-ceo-karla-trotman-on-reaching-the-top#t=107) Introduction: Carla Trotman and Electrosoft
- [2:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-08-15-electro-soft-ceo-karla-trotman-on-reaching-the-top#t=151) Trotman's Multi-Passionate Background and Early Career
- [4:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-08-15-electro-soft-ceo-karla-trotman-on-reaching-the-top#t=282) Supply Chain Challenges: Shortages, Lead Times, and De-risking
- [8:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-08-15-electro-soft-ceo-karla-trotman-on-reaching-the-top#t=483) The BOW Collective and Investment Barriers for Black Women
- [9:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-08-15-electro-soft-ceo-karla-trotman-on-reaching-the-top#t=588) Electrosoft's History: From Jim Wallace to Carla's Leadership
- [13:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-08-15-electro-soft-ceo-karla-trotman-on-reaching-the-top#t=822) Corporate America Struggles and Returning to Family Business
- [19:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-08-15-electro-soft-ceo-karla-trotman-on-reaching-the-top#t=1140) Key Success Factors: Resilience, Self-Confidence, and Winning
- [22:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-08-15-electro-soft-ceo-karla-trotman-on-reaching-the-top#t=1348) Mentorship, Visibility, and Inspiring Diverse Youth

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Electrosoft (company)
- IKEA (company)
- Intel (company)
- TSMC (company)
- Samsung (company)
- Gap (company)
- Honeywell (company)
- BOW Collective (other)
- ISO 9001 (other)
- Penn State (other)
- Drexel University (other)

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- [Not Reely An Issue](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-11-13-not-reely-an-issue) (The Amp Hour)
- [Electronica 24: Luminovo's Vision for AI in Manufacturing Transforming the Electronics Supply Chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-11-27-electronica-24-luminovos-vision-for-ai-in-manufacturing-transforming-the-electro) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
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## Citing this page

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