With the start of the new year, I would like to pass on best wishes for a most prosperous 2005 to all of the IEEE Houston Section membership on behalf of the 2005 Executive Committee.  And speaking of the 2005 IEEE Houston Section Executive Committee, allow me to introduce them to you as follows: 

Past Chair – Mr. Gil Dolor

Chairman – Mr. Scott Ballew

Vice Chair – Mr. Charles Benard

Secretary – Mr. Polo Guiterez

Director – Mr. Shannon Quadros
Treasurer – Mr. Donald Dunn
 

This slate of 2005 EXCOM officers were successfully voted in by the Houston Section membership in attendance during the December 2^nd, 2004 Houston Section meeting held at the H.E.S.S. club.  You will notice that there is a new position listed for 2005, and it is titled “Director”.  This new position will be filled for the first year by Mr. Shannon Quadros.  Please join me in welcoming Shannon to the EXCOM in his first officer assignment, as well as being the first ever to hold this new Director position in the Houston Section.  The Director position was created by the 2004 EXCOM, to start in the officer rotation in January 2005, as a result of reviewing what some of the other U.S. IEEE Sections have been implementing recently.  Many IEEE Sections have realized the criticality of the Treasurer position as it relates to management of the Section's finances, the responsibility to vendors for timely payments, and the complexities involved in transitioning the financial responsibilities from one individual to the next, year after year.  As a result, stability is established for the Treasurer’s position by taking it out from the normal officer rotation and having it occupied by someone who is willing to make a service commitment of 2 or more years to the position.  The Director position is included now in the officer rotation and is the initial position for an individual to come into the EXCOM and learn the officer responsibilities and to help out the other EXCOM members where needed in a “pinchhitter” style role. 

Mr. Donald Dunn has graciously volunteered to be the Treasurer for 2005 and 2006.  Donald is our current Region 5 South Area Chair and has served numerous years on the Houston EXCOM as Chair, and specifically two full years previously in the Treasurer’s role.  Donald brings much to this position, and we are glad to have his continued active support and involvement with the IEEE Houston Section.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the IEEE Houston Section membership for the opportunity to serve as Chairman for 2005.  I look forward to what this year has to offer and am very excited the year ahead.  As you are all aware, the IEEE is a volunteer organization.  The primary success of any volunteer organization is bringing in new volunteers.  Please take the time to consider volunteering in some capacity.  You will find your time is well spent.  It is a great way to network with professionals within the electrical engineering community.  Join us at one of the upcoming EXCOM or SECTION meetings; we look forward to meeting you.  If you are interested, please contact an EXCOM member.  The Houston Section is currently looking for volunteers to take the lead in the following areas: 1) PACE - Professional Activities; 2) Sr. Membership; and 3) Consultants Network, just to name a few.

In closing, I wish to extend a sincere thank you to Mr. Gil Dolor for his leadership as 2004 IEEE Houston Section Chairman and for his role in helping me for these last three years plan and coordinate the annual IEEE Houston Section Scholarship Golf Tournament.  This annual event has enabled the Houston Section to add significant value to our membership by awarding a total of twelve $1,000 scholarships over the last three years to some very deserving young college students in pursuit of their degrees.  This year, Gil will continue his active involvement and support of the IEEE Houston Section in the “Past Chair” role and he has also agreed to take the primary role as Chair of the Scholarship Committee, taking the lead in organizing this year’s golf tournament.  I look forward to what Gil will plan for this year’s event, as I know it will be better than ever.