On behalf of the Houston Section Executive Committee (Excom), I would like to invite all members to take the opportunity this year to become active within the section.  There are many activities within the section to enhance one’s self both professional and personally.  The Excom and myself are looking forward to again providing a broad spectrum of member activities in 2006.  Pay close attention to our website (www.ieee-houston.org) and e-mail updates for the upcoming activities.  Our next section meeting is on February 23, 2006, at the HESS building. 

The Houston Section CED program will be back in swing next month (February 2006) with several courses that cover new and exciting topics.  Please take some time and visit the web site to see what will be offered this year.  In addition, if there is subject material that you would like to see included in our CED program, please email the suggestions to Paul Barrett (paulbarrett@double-e-engineering.com) for consideration. 

The Houston Section will be manning booths at the SWEE-April 2006 and OTC-May 2006 this year promoting the IEEE.  We need volunteers to help us man these booths and promote the IEEE.  If you are interested contact one of the Excom members.       

The Houston Section nominated numerous members for upgraded to Senior Member grade in 2005.  IEEE has challenge the sections to exceed last years totals by nominating qualified members.  I am looking for members who meet the following criteria: for elevation to Senior Member status, ten years of professional practice including five years of significant performance, and references (See the nominator letter and application form for clarification on the IEEE website).  If you know an IEEE member who qualifies for Senior Membership, I would like you to nominate him or her by forwarding their nomination to one of the Houston Section Excom members. If you qualify and are not a senior member please reply to one of the Section Excom members.  If you are retired and have met the criteria at one time lets get you nominated. Section meetings are the best networking tool to achieve senior membership.

The Houston Section is seeking new volunteers, as you all are aware the IEEE is a volunteer organization.  We have had several people contact one of the Houston Section officers and a few have attended the monthly Excom meeting.  Again, if you are interested in becoming active, please take the time to consider volunteering in some capacity; the return on time invested is well worth it.  Contact one of the individuals within the section Excom committee and attend one of our planning meetings.  The Excom meets at the HESS building the 4^th Thursday of each month with the exception of a few summer months.  We have many opportunities for you to contribute and to develop a larger network of professionals from which to draw.

The Executive Committee and I hope each of you enjoyed a safe and happy holidays.  We are looking forward to an exciting year in 2006 and as always we are looking for your feedback and comments.

Finally, as several of you may have noticed I will be serving as Section Chair again in 2006.  In 2005, several of our Excom members have had personal commitments that preclude them from rotating to the next officer position. 

The IEEE Houston Section Officers for 2006 are as follows:

Past Chair – Scott Ballew
Chair – Donald Dunn
Vice Chair - Polo Gutierrez
Secretary – Justin McCaskill
Treasurer – Gil Dolor
Director - Charles Benard