Penn State Behrend
    School of Engineering
    5101 Jordan Road
    Erie, PA  16563-1701

    Office:  REDC 242C
    Phone:  (814) 898-6153
    Fax:(814) 898-6125
    Email: Ralph-Ford@psu.edu

This page is the candidate’s personal web site and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of the IEEE

RALPH M. FORD
(Nominated by Region 2)

FOR IEEE REGION DELEGATE-ELECT/DIRECTOR-ELECT, 2009-2010
DELEGATE/DIRECTOR, 2011-2011 – REGION 2
(EASTERN USA)

IEEE Activities – (S’87-M’89-S’92-M’95-SM’02) COMMITTEE/BOARD: Member and Geographic Activities Board, Nominations and Appointments Committee Member, 2007-08.  REGION: Region 2 – Eastern USA, Conference Coordinator, 2003-08. SECTION: Erie Section: Chair, 2001; Vice Chair, 1997-2000. 

IEEE Accomplishments – Chair of the Erie Section - Established the first web presence for the Section to provide better communication to membership; participated in the creation of the Section’s first MPAC, which continues on a bi-annual basis; organized a membership drive that resulted in a substantial increase in the number of senior members in the Section; the Erie Section supported student membership and participation in the area through sponsorship of paper competitions at colleges/universities, K-12 programs, and the annual new members dinner.

IEEE Region2 Conference Coordinator – provided distribution of conference and workshops information in Region 2 through the Region 2’s electronic leadership forum. Participated in first strategic planning process for IEEE conferences (2005-2006).

IEEE MGAB Nominations and Awards Committee – solicit, review, and nominate IEEE volunteer members for RAB/MGAB positions.

Statement – As director, I intend to focus on:

• Engaging practicing engineers in IEEE activities and services that support their careers.  This is critical given the rate of technological change and increased global competition. Examples include offering practice-oriented conferences, MPACs, and networking opportunities.
• Engaging members and sections in support of engineering outreach to the K-12 audience. There is momentum in many states and communities for improving STEM education.  IEEE can support this through existing resources, such as IEEE in-service activities.  Increasing the pipeline of students who pursue engineering degrees is critical for our national competitiveness.
• Supporting efforts that engage and strengthen college and university chapters, as well as efforts to retain recent college graduates. Retention of recent graduates in IEEE continues to be a vexing problem.

I will be highly engaged with section chairs to support their initiatives and develop future leaders of IEEE. I will work closely with the incoming Region 2 director to support his efforts as well as the strategic directions of IEEE and the region.  I appreciate this opportunity to serve.

By-line – I strongly believe in supporting our profession. I have experience in academia, industry and professional organizations and appreciate the opportunity to serve IEEE’s membership.