Lots of things going on at the ARRL over the past week. The first bit of news is that we now have a new Director of Emergency Management, Paul Gilbert, KE5ZW. He certainly seems well-qualified. He’s currently Section Manager for the ARRL South Texas section, and professionally he served in emergency communications positions for the Texas State Guard and other Texas state agencies.
This position has been somewhat restructured. As Director of Emergency Management, KE5ZW will be responsible for both ARES and the National Traffic System (NTS). As far as I can tell, the latter really needs some work. As I have urged the ARRL to do in the past, I urge him to keep more on top of what’s going on in emergency communications research. The only way to stay relevant is to stay abreast of the research in the field and maybe even sponsor some research of our own.
ARRL Board slate set
On Tuesday, 8/25, the ARRL announced the slate for this year’s board election. In three of the divisions, the directors were unopposed:
- Atlantic Division: Tom Abernethy, W3TOM (first elected 2015).
- Delta Division, David Norris, K5UZ (first elected 2012).
- Midwest Division: Vice Director Art Zygielbaum, K0AIZ is running unopposed for Director.
A bit of a surprise is that in Great Lakes Division, where I live, incumbent Director Dale Williams, WA8EFK, who was elected in 2014, is being challenged by Michael Kalter, W8CI, who is treasurer of the Dayton Amateur Radio Association, i.e. the group that puts on the Dayton Hamvention. I look forward to hearing from the candidates.
Also in the Great Lakes Division, the current vice director has decided to step down, and three guys have thrown their hats into the ring, including the current Ohio section manager, the previous Ohio section manager, and a Michigander. I ran for that seat myself twice, losing the last time by only twelve votes. I guess that I’m a better CW operator than I am a politician.
In the Dakota Division, Matt Holden, K0BBC, who’s been director for only three years after being elected in a special election is being challenged by Bill Lipper, AC0W.
Voter turnout is notoriously bad for these elections. That being the case, I’d urge you to actually read the candidate statements and then vote.
New CEO!
Finally, comes word that the ARRL board has finally selected a new CEO, David Minster, NA2AA. I know nothing more than what was published in the announcement on Thursday, 8/29/20. What I can say is that he’s certainly been a more active amateur radio operator than the previous two CEOs. and that’s obviously a big plus.
Not that this means he is going to be a good CEO, but one thing that I like is that he’s a CW operator. He is a member of the CWops, and “collects unique and vintage bugs and keys.” We hope to have him on the ICQPodcast real soon now, and get his take on the direction that the ARRL and amateur radio in general are moving.