Organization

From ARRL Web:

08/27/2020 – The ARRL Board of Directors has elected David Minster, NA2AA, of Wayne, New Jersey, as ARRL’s new Chief Executive Officer, starting on September 28. Minster is currently Managing Partner at Talentrian Partners, a management consulting firm serving the consumer goods and luxury goods industries.

Minster began his career as a software engineer, moving into management at Unilever, as a Chief Information Officer of this globally recognized portfolio of brands that includes Elizabeth Arden Company, Chesebrough-Ponds Canada, Thomas J. Lipton Co., and others. From there, he moved to fine jewelry manufacturer and retailer David Yurman, where he served as COO and CIO. More recently, Minster served as CEO of jewelry brands Scott Kay and Judith Ripka.

“Building a culture of accomplishment and accountability is what I do best. My initial focus will be working with the Board on establishing strategic goals and concrete plans to navigate ARRL through the digital transformation required for the coming decades of its Second Century. This includes exciting and innovative ways to be engaged in amateur radio, while growing activity and membership.”

Minster got his Novice license, WB2MAE, in 1977, when he was in his teens. He progressed from Advanced to Amateur Extra and, after a stint as NW2D, he settled on the vanity call sign NA2AA in the 1990s as a way to honor a mentor, N2AA, and the contest station that he used to frequent, K2GL, in Tuxedo Park, New York.

Minster’s ham radio pursuits have ranged far and wide over the years. His background includes National Traffic System training and participation in public service events, as well as contesting from home, club stations, and contest stations in the Caribbean — particularly on Bonaire, where he is a member of PJ4G. Primarily a CW operator, Minster collects unique and vintage bugs and keys.

Minster earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from The Ohio State University and has a special interest in satellites, digital communications, remote operation, and ham radio computing and software. He has written keyer software for the commercial market, and contest logging, packet, and satellite telemetry software for personal use.

In addition to being an ARRL member, Minster is a member of AMSAT, the Frankford Radio Club, the Straight Key Century Club, CWops, and the North American QRP CW Club.

“I spend every day of my life, one way or another, engaged in amateur radio. It is more than just a hobby for me; it is my community. It is where I live; where I have built lifelong friendships, and friendships that span the globe. Amateur radio allows me to dream and to experiment. I can’t wait to bring my energy and boundless enthusiasm in service to ARRL.”

ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, said, “We are excited to welcome David as our new CEO, and look forward to his progressive leadership. His experience in management and operations, plus his activities in amateur radio, will serve our organization and members well.”

Minster will succeed Barry J. Shelley, N1VXY, who was CEO in 2018, and who has been serving as ARRL’s Interim CEO since January 2020. Shelley had been ARRL’s Chief Financial Officer since January 1992.

The August, 2020, Section Newsletter is now available at https://ema.arrl.org/august-2020-section-news/.

From ARRL Web:

07/24/2020 – Due to travel and gathering restrictions in place because of the coronavirus pandemic, the ARRL Board of Directors met on Friday, July 17, 2020 in a remote session, using the Zoom videoconferencing platform.

During this session, the Board took the following actions:

• Accepted the final recommendations of the Band Planning Committee. Committee chair and ARRL First Vice President Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, introduced the motion to adopt the plan. An earlier draft of the plan was introduced at the Board’s in-person January meeting. After the January Board meeting, the Committee received and considered hundreds of comments from interested amateurs. The final band plan can be viewed on the ARRL website.
• Voted, in anticipation of hiring the new Emergency Management Director, to modify the charter of the search committee to study and, if appropriate, prepare a report on, the implementation of a new Standing Committee of the Board to emphasize emergency communications and provide advice to the CEO in these matters. The report is expected to be delivered to the Board by November 24, 2020.

From ARRL Web:

06/02/2020 – Three incumbent ARRL Section Managers were returned to office, while one challenger outpolled an incumbent Section Manager (SM) in contested elections this spring. Section Manager ballots were counted on Monday, June 1, at ARRL Headquarters. Three other incumbent Section Managers were unopposed and will continue with new terms of office, while one candidate was declared elected as the only nominee for the volunteer position.

In Illinois, incumbent SM Ron Morgan, AD9I, edged out a win over two challengers. Morgan received 605 votes, while Thomas Beebe, W9RY, garnered 600 votes, and Scott DeSantis, KB9VRW, of Crystal Lake, picked up 288 votes. Morgan, of East Peoria, has been Illinois Section Manager since February 2017.

In Maine, challenger Robert Gould, N1WJO, of Casco, topped incumbent SM Bill Crowley, K1NIT, of Farmingdale, 196 votes to 179 votes. Crowley has served as Maine’s Section Manager since 2014.

In Indiana, incumbent SM Jimmy Merry, KC9RPX, was re-elected with 515 votes to 384 for his challenger Brian Jenks, W9BGJ, of Fort Wayne. Merry, of Ellettsville, has been Section Manager since July 2018.

In Oregon, David Kidd, KA7OZO, was re-elected over challenger Kevin Fox, KU0L, of Damascus, 728 votes to 386 votes. Kidd, of Oregon City, has been Section Manager since 2018.

Bill Ashby, AA6FC, of San Jose, California, was the only nominee for the Santa Clara Valley Section Manager position. He will succeed Brandon Bianchi, NI6C, who decided not to run for a new term after serving since 2012.

Several sitting Section Managers were the only nominees in their respective sections and were declared re-elected. Kevin Bess, KK4BFN (Northern Florida); Paul Gayet, AA1SU (Vermont), and Patrick Moretti, KA1RB (Wisconsin).

All new terms of office begin on July 1.