I consider it to be a great privilege and honor to be a candidate for Director-Elect of IEEE Region 2. I also see it as an important opportunity to create a positive impact on an organization that I hold in very high regard.
While pursuing my college education over 25 years ago, I discovered and learned that the engineering world has two primary components: scientific theory and practical application. These two components, while different, depended on each other for their success and growth. As we pursue our engineering career, each of us tends to gravitate towards one component or the other. While I have great confidence in my scientific background, I have always felt that my capabilities as a practical systems engineer were my strength. The experience that I have garnered over the past quarter century has given me a solid understanding of the business side of engineering, including the engineer’s role in the development of business plans as well as technical resources. I have experience working within the environment of both large and small firms. This experience and practical understanding is one of the strengths that I can bring to this position.
Since 1999, I have been extremely active in many various Region 2 activities, representing the Region in the areas of Industry Relations, Membership, and Professional Activities. I have also been active during this past year as RAB Liaison to the IEEE Standards Association, taking particular interest in the SA’s Corporate Advisory Group (CAG). I have found and discussed several parallels between the CAG and the RAB’s Industry Relations issues. As I stated two years ago, it has been a concern that our membership from industry has been dropping in significant numbers. IEEE has been analyzing the causes of this and is aggressively looking to formulate a progressive approach to addressing these causes and issues. As Region 2 Director, I would like to use this experience and understanding of these related industry and membership issues to provide a practical focus and direction for Region 2 as it develops relationships with the industry of our Eastern US Region. My principal objective would be to be pro-active in opening doors and creating IEEE-Industry partnerships that would assure companies that their support would be of direct and lasting benefit to their IEEE member-employees.
Additionally, as Region Director, I would like to develop and implement a few Region-wide professional and technical activities and/or workshops that would attract inter-Section participation. These activities could be accomplished via normal Region meetings or through Region or sub-Region (Area) MPACs. The objectives would include exposing a broader range of IEEE professional and technical resources to our Sections, as well as getting more members active and involved in both the Sections and the Region, improving and strengthening our personnel networking. Within these activities, broader recognition of Section leaders and volunteers can be accomplished as well. There have been a couple of multi-Section MPACs in the past year and they have been very successful. We can establish a model for this concept that the rest of IEEE can follow.
I feel that I am well qualified for this position in IEEE based not just on my experience within IEEE, but also on my career experiences as a successful systems engineer and program manager as well as my non-professional experience as a volunteer managing a variety of civic and community organizations. While maintaining a healthy financial picture and solid communication and interaction with our Sections, I can effectively represent the Region, its Sections and all of its members on the national and international levels of IEEE.
I look forward to the opportunity and the challenge that lies ahead in serving you as Region 2 Director-Elect and then Director, and I thank you for your consideration.