2009 IEEE Annual Election Candidate - Ronald G. Jensen

FOR IEEE-USA PRESIDENT-ELECT, 2010

RONALD G. JENSEN
(Nominated by IEEE-USA)

Chief Engineering Manager (Retired)
IBM Corporation
Rochester, Minnesota, USA
www.JensenIEEE.org

Ron Jensen received the BSEE from Iowa State University and MSEE from Syracuse University and completed Ph.D. courses from the University of Minnesota.  He held IBM positions in semiconductor process, chip development, and semiconductor applications, followed by system design, systems architecture and project management.  He was lead through various management positions.  He led in the development of IBM families of computers and servers.  He recently retired as Chief Engineering Manager with a team of people across 3 geographies covering IBM server hardware and software.  Jensen is a member of Eta Kappa Nu and PMI, and a certified PMP. He is a member of the Computer Society, Technology Management Council and WIE. He is presently consulting with and coaching organizations.

Ron's professional interests are in system architecture, embedded systems, technical education, technical management, strategic planning and the use of the web, collaboration tools and social networking to build a professional environment.

IEEE Activities – (S’72-M’75-SM’99) OFFICE: Board of Directors, 2005-06. COMMITTEES/BOARDS: IEEE Strategic Planning Committee (SPC): Past Chair, 2009; Chair, 2007-08.  IEEE Spectrum Editorial Advisory Board, 2007-09. IEEE New Initiatives Committee, 2007-09.  IEEE IT Transition AdHoc Committee, Chair, 2009.  IEEE Presentations Online AdHoc Committee, Chair, 2009.  IEEE Travel Cost Displacement AdHoc Committee, 2009.  IEEE-USA: Board of Directors, 2005-06; Operations Committee, 2006.  IEEE Audit Committee: Chair, 2006; Member, 2007-09, 2005.  IEEE Information Strategy Committee: Member, 2005-08; Liaison to Finance Committee, 2008-09.  IEEE Finance Committee, 2007.  Member and Geographic Activities Board (MGAB): vTools Project, Project Leader, 2009; MGA Finance Committee, 2009; MGA Operations Committee, 2008-09; MGA IT Coordination and Oversight Committee, 2008-09. Regional Activities Board (RAB): Finance Committee: Chair, 2007; Member, 2007-08; RAB Operating Committee, 2007; vTools Project, Project Leader, 2006-08; RAB Simplification Project, Project Leader, 2006-07; RAB Strategic Planning Committee, 2004-05.  IEEE Conferences Committee, 2003-05.  REGION:  Region 4: Regional Advisor, 2009; Past Director, 2007-08; Treasurer, 2007, 2000-02; Nominations & Appointments Committee, Chair, 2007-08; Regional Policy & Procedures Review Committee, 2007-08; Region Director, 2005-06; Region Director-Elect, 2003-04; Vice Chair, 2003-04; Regional Long Range & Strategic Planning, Chair, 1998-2004; Area Chair – West, 1997-2000; Pre-College Education Activities Committee, Chair, 1999-2001.  SECTION:  Southern Minnesota Section: Chair, 1996-99; Vice Chair, 1995-96; Membership Development Committee, Chair, 2006-08, 1999-2003. CHAPTER: Computer Society Southern Minnesota Chapter, Chair, 2004-07. CONFERENCES:  Sections Congress: Member, 2008, 2005, 2002, 1999, 1996; Speaker, 2008, 2005, 2002.  REPRESENTATIVE: IEEE Conferences Committee, RAB Representative, 2003-04. AWARDS:  IEEE Third Millennium Medal, 2000.  RAB Achievement Award, 2000. 

IEEE Accomplishments – Ron Jensen began as a chapter and section chair and feels a responsibility to the success of his section and region as well as IEEE and that must come through innovation and improvements in the engagement and support of our membership.

• Developing an initiative to support society membership in sections that do not have a chapter of their society with internet support using speakers that are remote.
• Leading the vTools project which provides new tools for volunteers and benefit members.
• Encouraged use of internet to support members that are remote or unable to attend local meetings.
• Developed a Regional strategic plan with goals and objectives to improve the operation of the region to support members.
• Led SPC to transform the Committee and support the IEEE Board of Directors. SPC is very active providing great leadership to IEEE. This has given insight into the opportunities that are open to members and IEEE including new opportunities for IEEE-USA.
• Served on RAB as board member and treasurer during the transformation of RAB into MGA with a greater focus on members and the relationship/engagement of members and volunteers.
• Utilizing New Initiatives Committee and ITSC membership to encourage new projects. 

Statement – Each of us have “our” reasons to join or renew our IEEE membership, we see something in IEEE and IEEE-USA that reflects our interests and engages us. Those interests change throughout the lifecycle of membership (grade school to retirement). IEEE-USA has helped members build careers with professional activities and the career web site.

• We must take charge of our career by investing to stay technically and professionally current. You and I must build a professional network whether face to face at local meetings, MemberNet or LinkedIn.
• We can expect multiple careers – moving to a new job, taking a new assignment, moving into consulting, or creating our own business. IEEE-USA has volunteers and programs in areas that will support us as we make those moves. IEEE-USA must continue building on those strengths, utilizing knowledge and technology to get support to members quickly, inexpensively and timely.
• All of us in technology have a responsibility to lend our support to public policy; policy decisions must be informed and non partisan.

If elected, I will provide leadership, but IEEE-USA needs your engagement as a participant, a volunteer or by being informed. Please support me by becoming more involved – start by voting.