Each year we look with anticipation to what the world of technology and innovation will bring us and reflect on what we learned in 2010.  As a community, we rolled up our sleeves and dove in to local events such as the Alabama Regional Future City Competition, National Engineer’s Week, Tennessee Valley BEST, Alabama Science and Engineering Fair (ASEF), and North Alabama Science and Engineering Fair (NARSEF).  As a Section, our technical chapters hosted events that brought together some of the sharpest minds in the area and Distinguished Lecturers from around the United States.  We watched as the UAH Student Branch took their robot head-to-head with other schools from around the IEEE Region 3 at SoutheastCon 2010.  And with the conclusion of another great year, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all of our volunteers who have worked so hard to organize these events, reach out to others in the community, and cultivate the local brain trust that makes Huntsville such a unique home to us.

For my own part, this is the conclusion of two years as Chair of the Huntsville Section.  Over these two years, we have grown stronger with the continued support of some of our long time volunteers such as Woody Williams, Doug Parker, Eric Grigorian, Willie Fitzpatrick, Buddy Bishop, Sonya Dillard, Will Preussel, Jack McFadden, Bob Berinato, and Wayne Kendrick.  But also, the landscape of our Executive Committee has evolved.  New friends Tommy McGuire and Roger Bolton, and Ron Ogan have joined us; steadfast friends, Keith Jadus and Bob Robinson have moved for long term but temporary assignments, and have supported us all the while from far away; and this year, we said farewell to Frank Parris, an inspired and vibrant volunteer, the heart of our educational events, and a very dear friend to us all.

Let’s welcome all that 2011 has to bring.  Under the care of our new Chair, Bob Robinson, we will continue to strengthen the local community, support the up-and-coming engineers of tomorrow, and recognize those shining stars among us.  With that, I thank you all for a wonderful 2010, and an amazing opportunity to serve as your Chair.  Congratulations to our new slate of officers for 2011, and may this be the greatest year yet!

2011 IEEE Huntsville Section Officers

Chair: Bob Robinson

Vice Chair: Tommy McGuire

Treasurer: Willard Preussel

Secretary: Roger Bolton