Harold L. Flescher, Past President of the NPSS (‘91–92) and former Division IV Director, is the winner of the prestigious Richard M. Emberson Award for 2009. The nomination form selection criterion reads as follows:
The IEEE Richard M. Emberson Award shall be awarded to recognize distinguished service to the development, viability, advancement, and pursuit of the technical objectives of the IEEE.
Harold Flescher was recognized not just for long and distinguished service as a volunteer for IEEE, but also specifically for his contributions as a member, Treasurer and Chair of the Technical Activities Board (TAB) Finance Committee during the turbulent collapse of the stock market at the end of the 1990’s. His nomination by distinguished peers cited the major role that Harold played in analyzing IEEE’s financial systems, identifying structural flaws and leading a drive toward correction and establishment of a more transparent, accountable and sustainable business model. The solutions required sacrifice by every Society member of TAB and getting approval was a severe challenge, but Harold’s efforts were successful and have endured. This unique contribution to IEEE was recognized by the Awards Committee which settled on the citation:
“For contributions to understanding and reorganizing the financial structure of TAB and the IEEE to better serve IEEE members and the broader technical community.”
Awards Committee members remark that awards like the Emberson are always difficult to adjudge because every candidate brought forward has a long, full career of dedicated IEEE service. Many of the candidates are distinguished academics, researchers, educators, holders of high office in IEEE and public figures. Harold is an Engineering Manager whose main professional activities have been in the Radiation Effects community of IEEE NPSS and in the Defense R&D industry, areas that do not always get the high visibility they would enjoy in more open fields. However Harold’s sound management skills and hard-headed business sense have taken him to the highest ranks in IEEE as a Society President and Division Director of IEEE, and he continues to serve in TAB management and financial areas.
Prepared by Ray Larsen who can be reached by E-mail at Larsen@slac.stanford.edu.
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