IEEE-USA: Candidate Presentation Keith Grzelak Candidate for IEEE-USA 2016 President-Elect IEEE Region 2 Meeting Columbus, OH March 28, 2015
Who am I? For IEEE-USA President-Elect, 2016 IEEE-USA President, 2017 KEITH D. GRZELAK (Nominated by IEEE-USA) AFFILIATION Director Wells St. John PS Spokane, Washington, USA www.keithgrzelak.com Keith Grzelak worked at General Motors and Ford Motor Company as a safety and crashworthiness engineer. He supported numerous vehicle platforms. With the support of his employers, he attended law school, became a patent lawyer, and currently represents engineers and scientists. He has worked in many technical areas covering electrical, mechanical and medical systems. He has worked for a broad range of entities, ranging from Fortune 100 companies to start-up businesses, including universities and faculty start-up entities. He received his BS in Mechanical Engineering and his MS in Engineering Mechanics from Michigan Technological University. He received his MS in Electrical Engineering from Wayne State University. He received his JD from Michigan State University (Detroit College of Law). He is currently a director of Wells St. John PS in Spokane, Washington where he supports technology companies, and is active in teaching courses to STEM workers on technology policy and legal issues.
Personal Philosophy I believe IEEE-USA should be a value proposition. I believe IEEE (and IEEE-USA) should continue to be a volunteer directed and driven organization. I believe that each of us should nurture and protect both IEEE and IEEE-USA brands. I believe that our staff work for us and our governance should reflect the above-beliefs.
IEEE Accomplishments Representative to IEEE-USA board on numerous Supreme Court briefs filed on behalf of IEEE-USA members. Spokesman for IEEE-USA on STEM policy issues to national press. Active participant in deliberating immigration policy strategy. Active member in submitting extensive rule-making comments to Federal agencies relating to technology policy. Co-founder of IEEE IP Professionals initiative. Organizer of conferences on technology law and policy for members. Active lecturer for IEEE-sponsored seminars at national, regional, and section meetings, as well as outside of IEEE.
IEEE Accomplishments (con t.) Active participant in Congressional visits and meetings with Judiciary Committee staff and Federal Agencies regarding legislative and public policy issues. Organizer and participant in Congressional staff presentations on technology policy issues. Active promoter of IEEE-USA membership to non-members. Active lecturer on technology policy issues to outside organizations. Actively supported local, regional and national level programs for IEEE-USA members ranging from technology policy, innovation, public policy, education and entrepreneurship. Served on ad hoc committee to identify membership issues and trends. Identified member, committee and staffing changes while serving as IEEE-USA Vice President for Government Relations, as well as while serving on IEEE-USA Board.
Goals for IEEE-USA Communicate with our members in ways that engage them. Talk with our members in a way that they hear us and we hear them, particularly with our younger members (and potential members). Show value to our members by working on things that directly touch their concerns,.our actions should be relevant to our members. Share our skills with Regions outside of the U.S. to enhance the IEEE brand globally.
Statement IEEE-USA membership is on the decline,.we need new members and we need younger members. Our members (young and old) face challenges trying to maintain steady career paths. IEEE-USA needs to listen to those members and ensure that value and results are provided in a way that supports their education, careers and retirement. IEEE-USA is a valuable component of our parent, IEEE, and we need to share what we have learned to do well to support our U.S. member interests with other Regions outside of the U.S.
Statement (con t.) IEEE and IEEE-USA brands are inextricably attached at the hip (like twins). IEEE-USA needs to acknowledge operating concerns of our parent, IEEE, and IEEE needs to respect that IEEE-USA members are motivated to support their careers and education. We both share an interest in seeing that IEEE and IEEE-USA brands both remain first-rate in the eyes of STEM workers. To carry out this mission, I will initiate a plan to ensure that IEEE- USA can continue to support IEEE-USA member priorities in a way that is harmonious with IEEE objectives, to listen to our member concerns, to engage members, and to identify changes that can be adopted during my tenure as President.
Plan Communicate with our members using tools that they use. Make our committees and programs dynamic so they are fluid in a way that is responsive to dynamic changes in policy concerns and member needs. Move more quickly on policy issues, public attention span can be short and our contributions must be delivered when an audience is receptive. Continue to improve how we educate our members on career and public policy issues. Expand our training of volunteers so that value can be visibly delivered at the local section level to members.
Plan (con t.) Lead on proposing and supporting legislation that encourages worthy STEM careers in the U.S.. Work on public policy issues that our members feel are important. Investigate affiliate membership to expand potential membership base and look outwardly for new members. Continue to improve our member engagement with Congressional representatives so that our members concerns are clearly know by our representative.
For additional information, visit my website: www.keithgrzelak.com; contact me on Skype: patentlake; or reach out to me on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/pub/keith-grzelak/0/183/676/ www.pdfcool.com