This is my last Chair Message as Dwayne Lowry will be your new chairman as of January 1, 2003. As I look back over the preceding two years, I see many accomplishments that we have made here in the Houston Section for which we are recognized throughout the IEEE. The two most note worthy achievements are our award winning Continuing Education Program and our sustained membership growth over the past two years.

The Houston Section Continuing Education Program is the model program within the IEEE. I was asked at the beginning of this year to serve as the Region 5 Education and Technical Activities Chairman for 2002 and 2003. Our Region 5 director would like to model the Houston Section's continuing education program within other sections in Region 5. I would like to take this opportunity to thank several individuals who are the driving force behind this program. First, I must thank the godfather of the CED program Roy Cosse who without his vision and commitment the program would never have gotten off the ground. In addition, there is the technical committee composed of Roy Cosse, Jim Bowen, Bill Nichols, Michael Alford, Pete Evjen and Paul Barrett. In addition, we must thank all of the presenters, without whom the program would not exist. We must also thank Mark Bullian, who as the program coordinator for the past two years, has attended each and ever seminar to make sure all of the arrangements went off without a glitch.

With regard to the Houston Section’s membership growth, we are recognized throughout IEEE as being one of the few sections, if not the only one, within Regions 1-6 that has had sustained positive membership growth for an extended period of time. Here are a few statistics on the Houston Section: During the preceding year (10-31-2001 to 10-31-2002) our membership grew 9.26% for a total of 4022. During that time we had only two categories that had negative a growth trend. The following is a breakdown of that total: Student 5.44% total 814, Associate 16.96% total 469, Life Associate -11.11% total 8 (a loss of one), Provisional Member -24% total 19 (6 who became members), Member 9.72% total 2202, Life Member 9.7% total 181, Senior Member 13.25% total 171, Life Senior 5.88% total 108, Fellow 2.63% total 39, Life Fellow 0% total 11. I would like to commend all of the Houston Section Executive Committee for this remarkable accomplishment.

I would also like to thank Justo Benitez, who started us on the course that we have steadfastly continued on. With the conversion of the Pocket Scope to an electronic media it has allowed us to use those funds to add value to the IEEE membership here within the Houston Section. It is by adding value to the IEEE membership that has enabled us to achieve the accolades that we have garnered.

Finally, I would like to thank the entire Houston Section Executive Committee, who have enabled us to accomplish much over the previous two years. This group has been tireless in their efforts and it has been through these efforts we have been able to achieve so much.

It has been an excellent personal and professional growth experience serving you the members over the past two years. I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve as your Chairman and look forward to new and rewarding opportunities within the IEEE. Again, a thanks to all who have helped me.  It has been sincerely appreciated.