First let me thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.

I have been an IEEE volunteer for my entire professional career.  I have held a variety of positions from the local chapter level up to positions on the IEEE Canada Board.  I have held the two positions that I believe are essential in forming a solid foundation for region director.  Those positions are Membership development Chair and Treasurer.  Through Membership development chair you get insight to the largest issue facing IEEE, recruitment of new members and retention of members.  As Treasurer, not only do a get an understanding of the financials of IEEE, you also get a complete overview of operations at the region level and to some extent the greater IEEE.  Having an IEEE knowledge base is half the equation, the other half is dynamic leadership abilities.  Through my experience as a manger in the utility industry and more recently as an independent business owner, I believe I have developed the organizational, interpersonal and communication skills to administer the diverse group in IEEE Canada.  In addition to managing teams with varying knowledge levels and abilities, one of my primary responsibilities was participating in deregulation market design and operating committees where conflict and arguments was the norm, so I am comfortable in any situation and can diffusion difficult situations.

As I mentioned, I own/operate my own business so my schedule is mine to manage, in fact, it may become even freer as I am negotiating to sell me company, so the time issues as director are currently not an issue for me.

When I began volunteering at the region level, I had a goal of becoming treasurer, the move onto region activities as RAB Treasurer and then onto Region 7 director.  The qualifications of RAB Treasurer were changed at the recommendation of the IEEE auditors this past year, so I had to alter my plan to seek your blessing to get onto the ballot for the fall election.