2009 IEEE Annual Election Candidates - Region 1

PETER ALAN ECKSTEIN
(Nominated by IEEE Region 1)

Senior Principal Engineer
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Brooklyn, New York, USA
www.PeterEckstein.com

Peter A. Eckstein received the B.S. degree in Electrical Technology from the New York Institute of Technology in 1967.  He received an M.S. in Applied Physics from Adelphi University in 1971 and an M.S. in Management Engineering in 1974.

Eckstein is the Vice President for Government Relations of IEEE-USA, responsible for coordinating interaction of U.S. members of IEEE with their elected officials at all levels of government in response to proposed or pending legislation affecting career, workforce and technical policy issues.

Eckstein is employed by Northrop Grumman Corporation, where he has held various engineering managerial positions of increasing responsibility.  He has primarily been involved in the design and development of support equipment for Navy weapon system avionics.

In addition, Eckstein is an Adjunct Professor of Physics at Suffolk County Community College, where he is responsible for lecture and lab development of calculus and algebra based undergraduate physics courses.

IEEE Activities – (S’64-A’66-SM’83) COMMITTEES/BOARDS: IEEE-USA Board of Directors, Vice President – Government Relations, 2008-09.  IEEE As A Model Global Association AdHoc Committee, 2009.  IEEE Individual Benefits and Services Committee (IB&SC): Member, 2008-09; RAB Liaison, 2005. IEEE Tellers Committee: Chair, 2006; Member, 2003-05.  IEEE Ethics Hearing Panel, 2003-05.  IEEE Admissions and Advancements Committee, 1988-93.  REGION: Region 1: Secretary, 1998-2007, 1988-89; Bylaws/Parliamentarian, 2004-05; ELECTRO Representative, 2002-05; Audit Committee, Chair, 1998-99; Assistant, 1988-91. COUNCIL: Metropolitan Sections Activities Council (METSAC): Tutorials Committee, Chair, 1986-89; Tutorials Committee, Vice Chair, 1984-85. SECTION: Worcester County Section, Executive Committee Member, 2001-03. SOCIETY: Engineering Management Society (EMS): Board of Governors, Secretary, 2004; Member, 2003-07. CONFERENCES: ELECTRO’91, Board of Directors Secretary, 1991.  ELECTRO’90, Board of Directors Secretary, 1990.  ELECTRO’89, Tutorials Committee Chair, 1989.  ELECTRO’87, Tutorials Committee Chair, 1987.  ELECTRO’86, Tutorials Committee Vice Chair, 1986.  ELECTRO’85, Tutorials Committee Vice Chair, 1985.  Annual Systems Readiness Technology Conference (AUTOTESTCON), AUTOTESTCON’84 Tutorials Committee Vice Chair, 1984. AWARDS: IEEE Region 1 Award, 2005. IEEE Third Millennium Medal, 2000.

IEEE Accomplishments – While no one person is ever solely responsible for affecting major changes in as large an organization as IEEE, I have been a major influence in the following:

• Re-structuring the Region 1 Summer Leadership Workshop into the model now being showcased to other Regions.  This re-structuring has resulted in nearly doubling the number of Section Officers receiving training in the operation of their office.  In addition they also receive cross-training so they may progress to higher positions within IEEE. 
• As the IEEE-USA Vice President for Government Relations, I have, in the last fifteen months, directed the development of twenty-six major Position Statements utilized on Capitol Hill to educate and influence elected officials on issues that affect the welfare of our members and the nation.  These range from energy policy to workforce and employment issues to intellectual property and patent reform. 
• I was responsible for the recommendation requiring revision to the IEEE annual election guidelines utilized to determine the need for recounting votes to avoid contested elections. 
• As a work-in-progress, I am a member of an AdHoc committee formed by President Vig, charged with transforming IEEE into a Model Global Organization.

Statement – IEEE has always been, and must continue to be, a member centered organization, dedicated not only to furthering the profession in general, but the careers of its members in particular.  It must remain responsive to our members needs, both technical and non-technical.  While some of those needs are fulfilled by our societies, many others are satisfied at the local, Section level.  It is the Region’s responsibility to provide training, guidance, coordination and assistance to the Sections in providing for those needs.

As Region Director I will:

• Increase corporate financial involvement and sponsorship of Section programs to allow for a greater breadth and depth of those programs. 
• Develop a mentoring program for GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) members. 
• Develop a survey to determine the programs that would attract new members, and work with the IEEE Board of Directors to implement those programs. 
• Work to increase the participation of younger members in leadership positions.

ALBERT J. REINHART, ESQ.
(Nominated by IEEE Region 1)

Attorney
Albert J. Reinhart
Boylston, Massachusetts, USA
http://ieee.AlReinhart.com

Al Reinhart, Esq., educator, consultant, and attorney, assists clients navigate the intersection of business, technology, and law. His professional career started in 1968 as an airborne radar design and development engineer in the defense industry and progressed through marketing and business development positions in the computer industry. In 1980 he became an independent, multidisciplinary management and information technology consultant and mentor specializing in strategic planning, technology management, and distributed systems solutions. Since 2008 his endeavors include an emphasis on patent law, proactive intellectual property strategy and licensing, regulatory compliance, and information governance, risk management, and security policy.

He earned BSEE, MSCS, MBA, and JD degrees, and a post MBA Certificate of Advanced Study in Financial Analysis.  He teaches Software Engineering, IT Management, and Information Assurance graduate courses at Brandeis University; and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar, Massachusetts Bar Association, and Worcester County Bar Association – Intellectual Property Group.

IEEE Activities – (S’68-M’68-S’76-M’78-SM’00-S’07-GSM’08-SM’08) COMMITTEE/BOARD: IEEE-USA Professional Activities Committees for Engineers (PACE), Member – Region 1, 2008-09. REGION: Region 1: Executive Committee, 2008-09; Board of Governors, 2004-09; PACE Coordinator, 2008-09.  COUNCIL:  Central New England Council (CNEC): Chair, 2007; Vice Chair, 2006; Treasurer, 2005; Secretary, 2004.  SECTION:  Worcester County Section: Chair, 2004-09; Vice Chair, 1994-2004. AWARDS: IEEE Region 1 “Outstanding Support of the Engineering Profession”, 2006.  IEEE Third Millennium Medal, 2000.

IEEE Accomplishments – My volunteer service and leadership to the IEEE and other professional/social organizations throughout my academic/professional life has always focused on providing opportunities and encouragement for members to recognize and develop their technical, professional and leadership potential.

• As Worcester County Section Chair established an annual series of events focused on professional and technical development. These dinner meetings bring IEEE leadership and distinguished speakers to section/student branch members broadening their awareness of IEEE and promoting their professional and technical development. 
• As Worcester County Section Chair initiated an effort to establish a sister section/student branch with a section/student branch in China. The objective is to provide section/student branch members the opportunity to experience, establish, and nurture cross-cultural professional relationships, understanding, and collaboration, an emergent necessity in the global economy of the twenty-first century. 
• As Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice-Chairman of CNEC (Central New England Council) I recognized CNEC had ceased providing sufficient value to its member sections and, as CNEC Chairman, successfully initiated the effort resulting in the IEEE Board of Directors approving CNEC’s unanimous decision to dissolve itself. 
• As Region 1 PACE Coordinator developed and proposed an approach to encourage section PACE activities and facilitate evaluation of section PACE funding requests.

Statement – I appreciate the opportunity to run for the position of Delegate-Elect/Director-Elect and, if elected, look forward to serving Region 1 as Delegate/Director.  The IEEE, IEEE-USA, and Region 1 face many challenges.  I believe I am capable and prepared to effectively work toward proactively meeting them and moving the IEEE and Region 1 forward.

To be advantageously positioned to excel in the twenty-first century, it is vitally important for the Region 1 Delegate/Director to vigorously advocate that the IEEE and IEEE-USA continuously identify critically important and relevant technical and professional trends, establish a meaningful and realistic understanding of them, and strategically position the IEEE and its members to decisively grasp the significant institutional and career development opportunities they present.

The following require particular attention.  I will promote:

• the critical importance technology and technological advancement provides humanity; 
• the profession, the professional, and professionalism; 
• continuing education opportunities and career advancement/enrichment; 
• development of effective, interactive, Internet communications supporting community building, member engaging Internet/Web capability; and 
• opportunities and the benefits of member participation and volunteerism.