2008 IEEE Annual Election

JEAN M. EASON
(Nominated by IEEE-USA)

Consultant
Fort Worth, Texas, USA

I received my BS in EE from the University of Texas in 1978, an MS in EE from Southern Methodist University in 1984 and an MBA from Texas Christian University in 1989. My early career focused on the aerospace industry and I spent fifteen years working in avionics systems design and developing advanced cockpit displays for military and commercial, fixed and rotary wing aircraft. I am self-employed, working with clients on specialized applications for small businesses and in technical communication and documentation.

My time in aerospace gave me particular insight into the issues affecting engineering professionals. My work in the area of employment assistance for engineers in North Texas was recognized by the State of Texas in the report, Defense Transition: Economic Promise for Texas from the Governor’s Task Force on Economic Transition (1993). This led directly to my involvement with IEEE-USA and its employment and career services.

IEEE Activities – (S’75-M’78-S’81-M’82-SM’89)   OFFICE: Board of Directors, 2002-03.  COMMITTEES/BOARDS: Nominations and Appointments Committee, Member, 2005-07; Career Services Committee, Member, 2006-07; Infrastructure Oversight Committee, Member, 2002-03; IEEE-USA/USAB: Board of Directors, Vice-President - Professional Activities, 2005-06; Vice-President - Member Activities, 1998-99; Operating Committee, Member, 2005-06, 1998-99; Employment and Career Services Committee, Member, 2005-07, 1993-97; Chair, 2003-04, 1994-95; Communications Committee, Member, 1995-97; Perspectives: Editor-in-Chief, 1996-97; Chair, 2000-01; Annual Meeting Committee, Member, 2005-07; Member Services Council, Vice Chair, 1997; Nominations Committee, Member, 1996; Regional Activities Board: Board of Directors, 2002-03; Strategic Planning Committee, Member, 2002-04; GOLD Committee, Member, 2002; Section/Chapter Support Committee, Member, 2000; Publication Services & Products Board: Board of Directors, 2003-06, 1998-2001; Conference Publications Committee, Member, 2001; Electronic Career Services (ad-hoc), Member, 2000-02; Electronic Products and Services Committee, Member, 2000-02; PSPB/TAB Products and Services Committee, Member, 2003-06; Educational Activities Board: Career Roadmap Workshop, Program Co-Chair, 1995-96; Skills Assessment Workshop Planning Committee, Member, 1995-96; Technical Activities Board: Board of Directors, 2007.  REGION: Region 5: Executive Committee, 1989-2006; Employment Assistance Coordinator, 2003-06; Director, 2002-03; Training Committee, Member, 2000-01; Communications Coordinator, 1997-99; Educational Activities, Chair, 1996; Strategic Planning, Chair, 1993-95; South Area, Chair, 1990-92; Publicity Committee, Chair, 1989.  SECTION: Fort Worth Section: Executive Committee, 1986-2007; Chair, 2005, 1987-88; Vice Chair, 1986-87; Secretary-Treasurer, 1985-86; Newsletter Editor, 1992-2002, 1988-89, 1983-84; Educational Activities, Chair, 1995-96; Professional Activities Chair, 1987-95.  SOCIETIES: Nanotechnology Council, Vice President-Finance, 2007; Secretary, 2004-06; Aerospace & Electronic Systems Society, Board of Governors, 1989-90.  CONFERENCES: IEEE-NANO 2008, Finance Chair, 2007; IEEE-USA Annual Leadership Workshop, 2006-07; IEEE-USA Professional Development Conference, Local Committee, Chair, 1999; Region 5 Conference, 1998; Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC), 1984-93.  AWARDS: USAB, Chairman’s Special Citation to the Employment Assistance Committee, 1997; Employment Assistance Committee Citation for Engineer’s Guide , 1997; RAB Leadership Award, 1994; Region 5, Outstanding Individual Service, 1994; Fort Worth Section, Professionalism Award, 1994; IEEE Fort Worth Section, Outstanding Achievement Award, 1993; USAB, Regional Professional Leadership, 1992.

IEEE Accomplishments – I have been an active volunteer for more than twenty years, addressing member needs at every level from the local section to the Board of Directors. My focus has always been on developing successful programs and adding value to membership. Among my accomplishments:

Careers and Employment:

• Chaired IEEE-USA Employment Assistance Committee and led the development of Job Listing System
• Initiated unemployed member surveys to map trends in unemployment and research successful job search techniques  
• Editor of Engineers Guide to Lifelong Employability
• Initiated effort that led to an Institute-wide Career Services Committee
• Initiated North Texas Future City Competition, giving middle school students a fun way to learn about engineering and engineering principles. It is now one of the largest regional competitions in the country.

• Chaired the IEEE-USA Communications Committee and led efforts to increase member awareness of IEEE-USA activities through restructured print and electronic publications, recognized with awards of excellence from IABC (International Association of Business Communicators) and Communications Concepts.
• Initiated Region 5 electronic newsletter and website
  

• Initiated Section technical conference - Metrocon - now in 20th successful year
• Initiated Region 5 TechCon annual technical conference.

EMILY A. SOPENSKY
(Nominated by IEEE-USA)

Business Consultant
The Iris Company
Arlington, Virginia, USA; and
Vice President, COO
RFID Educational Foundation
McLean, Virginia, USA
www.sopensky.com

A business consultant specializing in technology (www.iriscompany.com), Emily Sopensky has long been an enthusiastic IEEE member and volunteer. She has held numerous positions in regional, technical and corporate activities, notably with IEEE-USA, Central Texas Section, IEEE Awards Board, and the Intelligent Transportation Systems and Electron Devices societies. Currently, her IEEE activities frequently relate to radio frequency identification, including chairing two technical conferences.

As with much of the RFID industry, Ms. Sopensky, a Wharton MBA, received her training on the job. In the mid-1990s at Texas Instruments, she was one of the first consultants to document TI’s RFID products.

After 20 years in Central Texas (Region 5) working with technology companies, she became the second IEEE-USA Fellow to the U.S. State Department, and relocated to Region 2. In 2007, she co-founded a non-profit charitable 501(c)(3), the RFID Educational Foundation (www.therfidfoundation.org), to educate and promote public awareness of RFID technology.

IEEE Activities – (A’92-M’98-SM’01) COMMITTEES/BOARDS: Awards Board, Presentation and Publicity Committee, Chair, 2006-08; Member, 2004-05; Member-at-Large, 2003; IEEE-USA Committee on Communications & Information Policy Committee, RFID Policy Lead, 2005-08; IEEE-USA Committee on Communications Policy, Vice Chair, 2008; IEEE-USA Committee on Communications Policy, Chair, 2006-07; IEEE-USA Technology Policy Council, Technology Forum Chair, 2004-05; IEEE-USA Government Fellows Committee, Member, 2007-08; IEEE-USA Communications Committee, Member-at-Large, 2008; IEEE-USA Committee on Transportation & Aerospace Policy Committee, Member-at-Large, 2005-08; Division X Director Nominating Committee, Member, 2004-05; TAB New Technology Directions, Member and RFID Lead, 2006-08; Women in Engineering Committee, IEEE-USA Liaison, 2004-06; Women in Engineering Committee, Awards Board Liaison, 2004-06; Women in Engineering, ITS Society Liaison, 2008; Intelligent Transportation AdHoc Committee, Secretary/Treasurer, 1998.  SECTION: Central Texas Section, Treasurer, 2003.  AFFINITY GROUP: WIE Austin Affinity Group, Co-founder, 2002.  SOCIETIES: Intelligent Transportation Systems Society, Vice President – Publications, 2004-05; Electron Devices Society, Educational Activities/Short Course Subcommittee, Member, 2000-02.  COUNCIL: Intelligent Transportation Systems Council, Vice President – Publications, 2004; Vice President – Finance, 2001-02; Secretary, 1999-2000, 2003.  CONFERENCES: RFID 2008, General Chair, 2008; RFID 2007, General Chair, 2007; 2008 International Conference on Vehicle Electronics and Safety Conference, Finance Chair, 2008; ITSC’07, Publicity Chair, 2007; ITSC’06, Publications Chair, 2006; ITSC’04, Publications Chair, 2004; ITSC’97, Publications Chair, 1997; IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium, Finance Chair, 2004; IEEE-USA Globalization & Technology Forum, General Chair, 2003.  REPRESENTATIVES: IEEE-USA Engineering & Diplomacy Fellow to the U.S. State Department, 2004; U.S. Senate RFID Caucus / RFID Technology Council, 2006-08.  AWARDS: IEEE-USA Special Citation, 2007; Intelligent Transportation Systems Society, Special Recognition, 2006; Intelligent Transportation Systems Council Award, 2001.

IEEE Accomplishments –

• Chaired IEEE’s first two technical conferences on RFID (2008 and 2007), both producing surpluses exceeding 20%. Received a special citation from 2006 IEEE-USA President Ralph Wyndrum recognizing the importance of the technology and the organizing feats of the Conference Committee. 
• Instigated grant proposal to establish an IEEE-wide strategy on RFID within IEEE; one of only 6 such grants funded. 
• Led IEEE-USA’s representation on the RFID Technology Council, serving the U.S. Senate RFID Caucus. 
• Championed changes to the IEEE’s Honors Ceremony Booklet that created new revenue and significantly decreased annual expenditures. Established a successful, ongoing collaborative relationship with IEEE Media. 
• Served as the second IEEE-USA Fellow to the U.S. State Department; and the first and only female IEEE-USA Fellow to the Department. 
• Originated IEEE-USA’s first Global Technology Policy Forum (2003, Austin, Texas). 
• Produced 4 highly technical semiconductor short courses (2002, 2003; Texas, California, and Taiwan). 
• Co-founded the 6^th Women in Engineering Affinity Group (Austin). There are now over 130. 
• Developed the New Member Orientation project (2002-2003) for Central Texas. 
• Held three different officer roles with the Intelligent Transportation Systems Society and its predecessors – VP Publications, VP Finance, Secretary – and was recognized for efforts in the formative years. 

Statement – As the U.S. is full of opportunity, the same can be said for IEEE-USA. The Member-At-Large can advocate, guide, inform and dialogue with the membership on IEEE-USA activities and programs. The M-A-L is at liberty to address issues with fresh perspectives and innovative thinking.

As an active volunteer who has held numerous positions at the section level, in societies, in technical and policy conferences, and in the corporate board, I have had ample opportunity and diverse experiences that have been rewarding and fulfilling. In addition, my year as the second IEEE-USA Fellow to the U.S. State Department deepened my knowledge and ability to reach across the broad spectrum of all IEEE resources – IEEE-USA, regional and technical activities, to the corporate board, including Women in Engineering and Awards.

If elected, I will tap IEEE’s vast resources to help members in their professional development, increase IEEE-USA's innovation footprint, and encourage knowledge sharing.