IEEE Annual Election - IEEE-USA President-Elect Candidates

Marc T. Apter

MARC T. APTER
(Nominated by IEEE-USA)

URS Corporation (Retired)
Dahlgren, Virginia, USA
www.marcapter.org

 

I received a BSEE (Electronics) from Pennsylvania State University in 1964. I served in the U.S. Navy for five years. I then worked in Arlington, Virginia, USA for the Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), for 11 years, responsible for installation of systems on ships. In 1980 I transferred to the Chief of Naval Material for five years, developing Policy, auditing Maintenance Planning, and overseeing procurement and operations budgets.

I then worked at NAVSEA for 15 more years; first managing its Metrology and Calibration Program; then managing its Maintenance and Configuration Management Program; and finally as the NAVSEA Command Information Systems Security Manager for more than 25 sites, and developing information assurance policy for over 60,000 government and contractor employees.

In 2000 I joined URS Corporation, in Dahlgren, Virginia, USA, where I was a Senior Information Assurance Specialist, developing security documentation for Government shipboard computer systems, until retiring in 2011.

 

IEEE Accomplishments and Activities
(S’63-M’65-SM’82)

Some of what I have accomplished or helped accomplish:
 

• IEEE-USA Critical Infrastructure Protection Position Paper
• vTools efforts
• The changes/simplification of the IEEE membership application procedures
• The Student Ethics Competitions
• The Pre-University IEEE Clubs
• The formation of the IEEE Career Services Committee
• Development of the Seed Grant part of the New Initiatives Program

IEEE Activities: V.P. Regional Activities, 2004-05; Region 2 Director, 2001-02; Member IEEE Ethics Member Conduct Committee, 2003-05; Member Information Technology Strategy Committee (ITSC), 2006-07, and corresponding Member in 2008; Member New Initiatives Committee (NIC), 2006-08; Chair Presidential Adhoc IEEE as a Model Global Association, 2009.

Member Geographic Activities: RAB Vice-Chair Member Activities, 2003; Chair Member Engagement and Life Cycle Committee, 2008; Chair MGA N&A Committee, 2009; Member Individual Benefits and Services Committee, 2008; Member Admission and Advancement Committee, 1990-94; Member vTools Adhoc Committee, 2006-10.

IEEE-USA: IEEE-USA Critical Information Protection Committee, Member 2007-10; Chair 2009-10; IEEE-USA Government Fellows Committee, Member 2010-2012, Chair 2010; Chair 2012 IEEE-USA Annual Meeting; IEEE-USA Liaison Representative to the IEEE Ethics Committee, 1997-98; Member Nominations & Appointments Committee, 2004; TAB/USAB U.S. Technology Policy Committee, Member 1988-93 & 1982-85, Chair 1992-93; USAB Employment Assistance Committee, Member 1987-89; USAB Environmental Quality Committee, Member 1978-85, Chair 1984; USAB Ethics Committee, Member 1989-95, Chair 1994.

Region 2: Treasurer Region 2, 1994-98; Region 2 Life Member Coordinator, 2009-11; Parliamentarian and Bylaws Chair, 2007-11; National Capital Area Council Chair, 1990-91; Northern Virginia Section, Chair, 1987-88.

Society/Council: Nano-Technology Council Secretary, 2007-11; Social Implications of Technology Society: Member of AdCom 1982-93, Treasurer 1985-93, Chapters Chair 1982-85, Professional Activities Chair 1982-85.

Chapters: SSIT Northern Virginia/Baltimore/Washington Chapter Founding Chair, 1982-84; Penn State University Student Branch Member, 1962-64.

Awards: IEEE Millennium Medal, 2000; IEEE Centennial Award, 1984; National Capital Area Distinguished Member Award, 2007; James F. Strother Meritorious Service Award, 2006.

 

Statement

The IEEE-USA is our National Professional Organization, and we need to ensure our members and the public know it.

To be our National Professional Organization we must establish an IEEE-USA Sponsored Continuum of Education Program that includes:

• A K thru 12 Program anchored around the IEEE’s Teacher In-Service Program
• A College/University Program addressing Professionalism
• A Young Professionals Program based on IEEE endorsed courses/training
• A career program that is available to all our members

The Young Professional/Career Programs should include what we can do ourselves or obtain:

• Soft Skills
  • Basic personal skills (e.g., buying a house, getting a mortgage, insurance)
  • We Need special deals for obtaining specific skills and benefits
  • Supervisory/management training
  • Career options (e.g., consultants, entrepreneurs, etc.)
• Technical
  • Certifications
  • Continuing education
I will continue to work to have the IEEE-USA recognized and established as our National Professional Organization.

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Nita K. Patel, PE

NITA K. PATEL, PE
(Nominated by IEEE-USA)

Systems and Software Engineering Manager
L-3 Warrior Systems, Insight
Bedford, New Hampshire, USA
www.nitapatel.org

 

Nita Patel is a Systems and Software Engineering Manager at L-3 Warrior Systems, manufacturer of night-vision and electro-optical systems. She was previously the Chief Engineer and Deputy Program Manager for RSIS in Norman, OK where she led the successful completion of a US$36M NEXRAD weather radar upgrade. The New Hampshire Joint Engineering Societies recently named Nita the 2011 New Hampshire Engineer of the Year for her technical contributions to the engineering profession and for her active community involvement.

Nita is currently the IEEE-USA VP of Communications & Public Awareness and Secretary/Treasurer of the Computer Society MGA Board. She is a member of Women in Engineering, the Computer Society and the Professional Communication Society. Outside of IEEE, she is active with Toastmasters and the United States Chess Federation. Nita received her MS Computer Engineering (1998), BS Electrical Engineering (1995) and BS Mathematics (1995) from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

 

IEEE Accomplishments and Activities
(S’93-M’98-SM’03)

Throughout my years with IEEE, I have been fortunate to lead fabulous, diverse volunteer teams, whose support and collaboration helped achieve many of the accomplishments listed below. Additionally, I have also had the privilege to serve with committed members in following other strong leaders to accomplish lofty organizational goals in our quest to change the world around us.

• As an IEEE volunteer, have been recognized by my peers with several awards including the 2010 MGA Leadership Award and 2008 IEEE-USA Professional Achievement Award for Individuals
• As an active IEEE-USA member, wrote and published four e-books on technical presentations:
  • Book I: Strategy - Preparation and Planning
  • Book II: Structure - Anatomy of a Successful Presentation
  • Book III: Style - Dynamic Delivery Techniques
  • Book IV: Supplements - Effective Visual Aids
• As 2010-11 IEEE-USA VP of Communications & Public Awareness, successfully led the launch of the first edition of the on-line IEEE-USA in Action newsletter, supported multiple communications and public awareness initiatives, wrote articles for Today’s Engineer, participated on the IEEE Public Visibility committee and supported the IEEE-USA awards and recognition committee.
• As 2009-10 Computer Society Region 1 Coordinator, spearheaded launch of international Member Visitor Program and led pilot CS chapter training in Region 1.
• As 2010 IEEE-USA Annual Meeting Chair, organized meeting with highest attendance in last decade and with prestigious keynote speakers including Norm Augustine and Ed Gordon
• As 2008-11 Region 1 Board Member, assisted with strategic planning, conference coordination and 2011 Sections Congress coordination
• As 2006-07 Region 5 Board Member, assisted with conferences and doubled number of Women in Engineering affinity groups
• As 2008-11 NH Section Officer, served as vice-chair and secretary, coordinated student activities, publicized section activities, outreached through K-12 activities and presented technical, presentation-skills workshops
• As Oklahoma City Section Chair, led section to win the 2005 RAB Outstanding Small Section Award

 

Statement

We face complex challenges within IEEE-USA: challenges of budget constraints, membership loss and active member engagement. We have the resources and talents necessary to solve these challenges. I do not have all the solutions. However, we, the members, do.

I have the leadership skills to encourage innovative solutions, to filter those that align with our mission, and to nurture these to meet the challenges we face. My experience as VP of Communications & Public Awareness, with the IEEE-USA Annual Meeting, in region/section roles and in technical chapter roles provides me a broad perspective of IEEE-USA and its value to members. To address our challenges, I believe we must focus on:

1. Articulating our mission ("Building Careers and Shaping Public Policy") - We must help non-members, government representatives and the public understand the importance of IEEE-USA.
2. Convening members around this mission - We have a strong volunteer base, individuals who collectively give countless hours. Nevertheless, we must actively recruit more members and volunteers.
3. Supporting members in accomplishing results - We must evaluate our programs, strengthen those that are relevant to our members and abandon those that are not.

I invite you to help me meet these challenges with your vote.

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