Tech talk: Two-way tech growth: Mutual Gains in Modern Mentorship

Tuesday, November 10th, 2026 1 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada)

This session explores Breaking into a specialized industry can be intimidating, and standard networking events often end with veterans sticking together while newcomers stay on the sidelines. Join us for an engaging 45-minute Tech Talk that introduces EP Pathways—a fresh, dynamic approach designed to break down these traditional silos and create genuine, long-term technical connections across the EOS/ESD Association community.

Unlike traditional top-down mentorship, EP Pathways runs on a reciprocal model: while emerging professionals (EP) sharpen their core ESD technical skills, industry veterans gain valuable insights into new digital tools, emerging tech trends, and shifting workplace cultures. During this session, you will explore how the program works, starting with our fast-paced "Micro-Talk" matching format. Borrowing from the PechaKucha style (20 slides, 20 seconds each), prospective mentors share their background and expertise in a rapid-fire presentation—lowering the barrier to entry, sparking organic conversations, and making mentor selection seamless and fun.

We will detail how these initial interactions transition into a low-friction, high-impact 12-month commitment (just one hour per month, online or in-person for each mentor/mentee pair) designed to foster year-round collaboration and technical growth. To give you a direct feel for the energy and speed of this format, the Tech Talk features a live 4-minute, 12-slide sample Micro-Talk delivered by a participating mentor. Discover how you can participate as a mentor or mentee, help shape the future of our technical community, and build partnerships that drive the industry forward.

Speakers and bios:

Victor Skulavik II is an Electrical Engineer and ESD SME at Sandia National Laboratories. His career began at Sandia's Albuquerque, NM location as a microelectronics verification engineer after earning his Master's in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) in 2013. In 2018, he relocated to Kansas City transitioning to production support and using ESD factory controls wrt product handling during manufacturing, and has since built strong ties with the Kansas City National Security Campus ESD Council. He holds certifications as a TR-53 technician (ASCC, 2019), ESD Program Manager (ESDA, 2021), and iNARTE ESD Aerospace & Defense Engineer (RMV, 2023), and contributes to ESDA Standards Working Groups and Task Teams. Victor is driven by curiosity, a willingness to challenge assumptions, and a belief that clear communication and hands-on demonstration are the best ways to build understanding and share knowledge.

Chris Chaousy brings a diverse background in sales, sourcing, supply chain management, and international business development to his role as a Technical Sales Engineer at Momentive, where he helps customers leverage silicone solutions for electrical and industrial applications. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Chris built the foundation of his career on discipline, integrity, and teamwork. Over the past two decades, he has held leadership roles in procurement and global sales, developing expertise in strategic sourcing, market development, customer relationships, and business growth.

Today, Chris partners with customers to improve the performance, reliability, and durability of their products through innovative silicone technologies.

Outside of work, Chris is a devoted husband and proud father of three. He enjoys spending time with his family and pursuing his passion for photography, bringing the same creativity, energy, and attention to detail to his personal interests as he does to his professional endeavors.