EDS Executive Director wins IEEE Eric Herz Award

William F. Van Der Vort II

IEEE Electron Devices Society Executive Director

wins the 2007 IEEE Eric Herz Outstanding Staff Award

We are pleased to inform our EDS members that Bill Van Der Vort, our Executive Director since 1990, is the recipient of the 2007 IEEE Eric Herz Outstanding Staff award. This award is given annually by the IEEE Board of Directors, and is named in honor of Eric Herz, who had a long and illustrious career as both a volunteer and staff member of the IEEE. The award is presented for demonstrated contributions over a long period of time by a present or past full time staff member. This award carries a cash honorarium and covers travel expenses to the award ceremony at the next IEEE Board of Directors meeting in Boston, MA on November 17.

Those of us who have worked closely with Bill appreciate what a delight it is to be his colleague. His willingness to take on new tasks, initiate new programs and volunteer suggestions makes the position of an EDS volunteer a rewarding activity. All EDS members should be proud of our Society’s outstanding reputation, much is due to Bill’s dedication to our members. He has helped to initiate and provide support for numerous programs including increasing our membership, increasing our global presence, achieving rapid turn around time for our journals, creating our archival DVD, stimulating the creation of new journals, supporting the management of our conferences, and creating the Newsletter and Directory. His can-do attitude influences EDS volunteers and his outstanding staff, who have the highest regard for him. I have attended IEEE TAB meetings where I have heard words as, “Do it the way EDS does it.” That is a tribute to Bill and his influence on EDS and IEEE activities. This award is richly deserved.

Alfred U. Mac Rae
Vice President, EDS Awards