2008 IEEE Annual Election - Region 2

RALPH M. FORD
(Nominated by Region 2)

Director and Professor
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
School of Engineering
Erie, Pennsylvania, USA
www.personal.psu.edu/rmf7

Dr. Ralph Ford is director of the School of Engineering at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. He obtained his B.S. degree from Clarkson University and Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. He was a senior associate engineer at IBM in East Fishkill, NY from 1989-1991 where he developed machine vision systems for semiconductor packaging inspection.  He joined Penn State Behrend in 1994 and then served as chair of electrical and computer engineering for eight years.  During this period, the program expanded to add two new programs in computer and software engineering.  He was a Fulbright Scholar to the Czech Republic, teaching and conducting research at Brno University of Technology. He is author of the book Design for Electrical and Computer Engineers (McGraw-Hill). He became director of the School of Engineering in 2005.  His technical interests are in digital signal processing, digital image processing, and engineering design.

IEEE Activities – (S’87-M’89-S’92-M’95-SM’02) COMMITTEES/BOARDS: Member and Geographic Activities Board (MGAB), Nominations and Appointments Committee, Member, 2008; Regional Activities Board (RAB), Nominations and Appointments Committee, Member, 2007.  REGION: Region 2 – Eastern USA, Conference Coordinator, 2003-08. SECTION: Erie Section, Chair, 2001; Vice Chair, 1997-2000. 

IEEE Accomplishments – Chair of the Erie Section - Established the first web presence for the Section to provide better communication to membership; participated in the creation of the Section’s first MPAC, which continues on a bi-annual basis; organized a membership drive that resulted in a substantial increase in the number of senior members in the Section; the Erie Section supported student membership and participation in the area through sponsorship of paper competitions at colleges/universities, K-12 programs, and the annual new members dinner.

IEEE Region 2 Conference Coordinator – provided distribution of conference and workshops information in Region 2 through the Region 2’s electronic leadership forum. Participated in first strategic planning process for IEEE conferences (2005-2006).

IEEE MGAB Nominations and Awards Committee – solicit, review, and nominate IEEE volunteer members for RAB/MGAB positions.

Statement – As delegate/director, I intend to focus on:

• Engaging practicing engineers in IEEE activities and services that support their careers.  This is critical given the rate of technological change and increased global competition. Examples include offering practice-oriented conferences, MPACs, and networking opportunities.
• Engaging members and sections in support of engineering outreach to the K-12 audience. There is momentum in many states and communities for improving STEM education.  IEEE can support this through existing resources, such as IEEE in-service activities.  Increasing the pipeline of students who pursue engineering degrees is critical for our national competitiveness.
• Supporting efforts that engage and strengthen college and university chapters, as well as efforts to retain recent college graduates. Retention of recent graduates in IEEE continues to be a vexing problem.

I will work closely with section chairs to support their initiatives and develop future leaders of IEEE. I will work closely with the incoming Region 2 director to support his efforts as well as the strategic directions of IEEE and the region.  I appreciate this opportunity to serve.

MURTY S. POLAVARAPU
(Nominated by Region 2)

Senior Principal Engineer
BAE Systems
Manassas, Virginia, USA
www.murtyp.org

Over the last two decades, Murty Polavarapu has worked on all facets of semiconductor technology with a special focus on developing and manufacturing advanced memory and logic products for space environments.  His current interests include development of phase change memory devices and nanotechnology applications for space systems.  He holds Masters degrees in Physics from India, Electrical Engineering from Howard University and Management of Technology from University of Pennsylvania. He was awarded ten patents in semiconductor technology, Dominion Semiconductor President's Award and IBM Outstanding Technical Achievement Award.  Polavarapu is a Fellow of Washington Academy of Sciences and a member of American Association for Advancement of Science.  He served as a Peace Corps volunteer teaching at a rural high school in Fiji and is currently active with the local arm of American Youth Hostels in promoting global understanding.   Polavarapu is an active participant in pre-college and student branch activities.

IEEE Activities – (M’97-SM’98) COMMITTEES/BOARD: IEEE-USA Pre-College Education Committee, Member, 2003-05; IEEE-USA Research and Development Policy Committee, Member, 2002-04.  REGION: Region 2, Executive Committee, Member, 2006-08; South Area, Chair, 2006-08; Pre-College Education, Coordinator, 2003-05.  SECTION: Northern Virginia Section, Pre-College Committee, Chair, 2008; Professional Activities Committees for Engineers (PACE), Chair, 2007; Section Chair, 2005; Chair-Elect and Vice Chair, 2004; Secretary, 2003; Treasurer, 2002.  CHAPTERS: Electron Devices Society Northern Virginia/Washington Chapter, Chair, 1999-2001, 2003-05; Society on Social Implications of Technology, Northern Virginia/Washington/Baltimore Chapter, Chair, 2003, 2005.  SOCIETY: Electron Devices Society, Regions/Chapters Sub-Committee, Vice Chair, 2006-08; Newsletter, Editor - North America-East, 2002-04.  CONFERENCES: Aerospace Conference, Session Co-Chair, 2006-07; International Reliability Physics Symposium, Memory Subcommittee Member, 2007.  REPRESENTATIVES: Washington Academy of Sciences, Northern Virginia Section Delegate, 2004-08; DC Council of Engineering and Architectural Societies, Northern Virginia Section Delegate, 2002-06.  AWARDS: Distinguished Leadership Award (Washington/Northern Virginia Sections), 2008; James F. Strother Meritorious Service Award, 2007; IEEE Regional Activities Board Achievement Award, 2005; IEEE Northern Virginia Section, Volunteer of the Year, 2004; IEEE Washington/Northern Virginia Sections, Distinguished Service Award, 2004; IEEE Third Millennium Medal, 2000.

IEEE Accomplishments – I did not achieve the following accomplishments alone, and gratefully acknowledge the excellent co-operation of my fellow volunteers.

• Introduced the IEEE virtual community for National Capital Area, the first of its kind at a local level. This community serves as a forum for online discussions, as a repository for AdCom meeting minutes and to publicize local events. www.ieeecommunities.org/nca
• Revived the dormant Electron Devices Society Chapter and introduced premier events such as the series of talks on nanotechnology. 
• Mentored the George Mason University Student Branch in holding its first annual Ethics Awareness Conference and multiple S-PAC events.
• Contributed to the rejuvenation of the Leadership Training Workshop of National Capital Area that provides a much-needed orientation for new volunteers. I look forward to offering this program across the region.
• Continued the pace of increased involvement of the Section in pre-college activities with one additional High School Club and support for local FIRST Robotics teams. I also worked with Northern Virginia Technology Council in conducting a Nanotechnology Education Seminar for local teachers.
• Contributed to the strategy of better serving local members with electronic and print distribution of newsletters.  www.ieee.org/escanner 

Statement – My goal is to leverage synergy across the region to focus on three broad areas:

• Better serve our members 
  • I will focus on helping members realize the value of their membership by improving local events such as technical meetings and symposia, educational and professional development courses. I will create a set of model events that can be replicated across the Region. This will also include career issues such as out-sourcing, intellectual property protection, health care and retirement benefits.
• Grow the membership
  • I will foster pilot experiments in membership recruitment and retention. I will also encourage stronger relationships between Sections and Student Branches to help students see the value of IEEE membership. I will promote a more active role for GOLD members in Section and Region activities.
• Build a sustainable leadership team  
  • Our region includes small sections such as Youngstown and large sections such as Philadelphia and Washington. I will promote sharing of resources across the region and create a well-trained leadership team that will ensure continued growth of IEEE.