IEEE Annual Election: Region 2 Candidates (Eastern USA)

IEEE Region 2 Delegate-Elect/Director-Elect candidates Philip M. Gonski and Murty S. Polavarapu answered questions on issues important to IEEE members in a forum held on 28 August 2024. The forum was hosted and moderated by Bala S. Prasanna, IEEE Region 1 Director and Andrew D. Lowery, IEEE Region 2 Director.

Watch the forum recording.

Below are the questions and the timestamps:

0:00 - Welcome and introductions from Andrew Lowery, IEEE Region 2 Director and Bala Prasanna, IEEE Region 1 Director.

2:20 - Candidate Philip M. Gonski’s opening statement.

4:43 - Candidate Murty S. Polavarapu’s opening statement.

7:13 - Question 1: Why are you running for the role of Region Director? What novel idea will you bring to the table that will make the Region better than it is today?

10:13 - Question 2: As we all know, you are elected by a majority of R2 membership; in your second year as director, you will be presiding over both R1 & R2. What message do you have for R1 members about protecting their interests and the programs and benefits they were used to?

12:45 - Question 3: Since most IEEE member benefits are delivered by volunteers how can Region 2 recruit more volunteers in the interest of expanding member value and benefits?

16:20 - Question 4: How do you plan to ensure the financial health of Region 2 while expanding its services and outreach? How do you plan to address a financial imbalance of the two merging regions?

19:41 - Question 5: How do you plan to increase member engagement and retention, particularly among younger engineers and students?

23:05 - Question 6: Are you satisfied with the current supply of professional development programs available from IEEEUSA, MGA & R1/R2? How do you intend to expand professional development programs to support members in their careers?

26:48 - Question 7: What initiatives will you implement to promote diversity and inclusion within Region 2 and the broader engineering community?

30:18 - Question 8: With IEEE’s stated goal to get more involved with Climate Control, how can you ensure Region 2 to become a leader in the climate control effort?

33:27 - Question 9: What would you say to a newly graduated professional who questions what value they will receive from the $200 they pay for IEEE membership dues?

37:13 - Question 10: How do you envision the first year of the R2/R1 merger, namely 2028?

40.29 - Candidate Philip M. Gonski's closing statement

42.39 - Candidate Murty S. Polavarapu’s closing statement

44.37 - Closing remarks from Andrew Lowery, IEEE Region 2 Director and Bala Prasanna, IEEE Region 1 Director.

PHILIP M. GONSKI, PE
(Nominated by IEEE Region 2)

Director, Power & Utilities
Burns Engineering
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

As the grandson of two renowned engineers, you could say Philip’s interest in electrical engineering was predetermined. What wasn’t predetermined was how Philip would carve out his own path to become a leader and expert in his field.

After graduating from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Philip worked for Sargent and Lundy in Chicago, designing power plants across the world. He later obtained a master’s degree in Energy Engineering.

Philip is a Director at Burns Engineering and an industry leader in Distributed Generation and Renewable Energy. Projects include microgrids, combined heat and power plants, EV Charging, battery energy storage, and solar power generation.

Philip was distinguished as the Delaware Valley and IEEE Philadelphia Young Engineer of the Year, a CSE 40 under 40 awardee, and ENR MidAtlantic 40 under 40 recipient. He resides in Philadelphia with his wife and young daughters (Future IEEE Members).
 

Statement

This election is critical as the candidate will serve during the combination of Regions 1 & 2. Through my extensive leadership in Section, Region, and USA level, I have the experience and vitality to guide the regions forward.

Key Strategies

• Industry. Membership continues to decline within industry, as “value” has not been as visible as academia. I personally let mine lapse after college, as I did not see the benefits. We need to convince members that we can provide job opportunities - and convince companies that we can bridge the training gap. This is the only way we can stay relevant. 
• Outreach. It’s been a topic every year, but outreach to younger members is how we survive. I became a member in college and clearly see how IEEE has helped me. My employment was attained through IEEE – and I was even married by a member. I clearly see the value and can communicate this effectively.

Now is the time to try new things, learn from others, and be willing to change what hasn’t.  
 

IEEE Accomplishments and Activities
(S’04-M’07-GSM’09-M’09-SM’14)

IEEE-USA Volunteer Contributions

• IEEE-USA Treasurer
  • Successfully managed IEEE-USA finances, maintained and developed budgets, and ensured reporting compliance with IEEE Financial Operations Manual.
  • Served on IEEE Finance Committee

Region 2 Volunteer Contributions

• Region 2 Treasurer
  • Managed Region accounting for over four years
  • Ensured timely support to region conferences and outreach activities
  • Assisted with financial planning for Section’s Congress
  • Oversaw implementation of NextGen financial suite
  • Assisted Section treasurers with new accounting systems
• East Area Chair
  • Provided guidance to four (4) Sections in the Region on event planning and PACE Activities
  • Attended Sections Congress as Regional Delegate

Section Contributions

• Community Outreach
  • Local grammar schools, high schools, and universities: Guest Speaker & Panelist
  • Delaware Valley Science Fair: IEEE Award Judge
  • Future City Competition: Special Award Presenter (2013-2022)
  • Supported IEEE Chapter Initiatives:
    • Outreach programs for Arduino and electronics STEM activities
    • Lobbied on behalf of IEEE at the USA Congressional Visit Day
• Continuing Education
  • Implemented CEU Accreditation at Section Meetings. This program directly drove value for industry members, and we witnessed a strong increase in attendance at our section nights.
• Organized Career Fairs & Networking Forums
  • Organized and hosted live & virtual job fairs for IEEE members & other professionals in the engineering community, resulting in multiple job offers
• Chapter Revival
• Partnered with other Organizations for Education & Networking Events
  • Organized and coordinated a joint event involving ASME AIA Young Professionals. Attendance exceeded 200 people.
• Leadership
  • Section Chair for three (3) years of one of the largest sections in the region
  • Treasurer and Secretary

Standards Board

• Balloting Member
  • IEEE 1547 - IEEE Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems 
  • IEEE 2030.7 - IEEE Standard for the Specification of Microgrid Controllers

MURTY S. POLAVARAPU
(Nominated by IEEE Region 2)

President, Space Electronics Solutions LLC
Managing Director, Virginia Microelectronics Consortium
Oakton, Virginia, USA
www.murtyp.com
 

Murty Polavarapu is engaged in developing advanced semiconductor memory and logic products for defense and aerospace markets, especially for space applications.  He also serves as the Managing Director of Virginia Microelectronics Consortium. His technical contributions were vital to the development of successive generations of radiation-hardened devices.  His career includes management and technical leadership roles at various companies including BAE Systems, IBM, Lockheed Martin, Micron, and Toshiba. He holds eleven patents and received numerous honors including the BAE Systems Chairman’s Silver Award, Dominion Semiconductor President's Award and IBM Outstanding Technical Achievement Award.

Murty earned his Masters in Electrical Engineering from Howard University and Masters in Technology Management from University of Pennsylvania. On a leave of absence from IBM, he served as a United States Peace Corps volunteer in rural Fiji teaching physics and mathematics at high school level. He co-founded a non-profit organization to help bring computers to schools in Ethiopia. 
 

Statement

IEEE Regional Directors need experience across organizational boundaries as well as extensive local and regional understanding. With a track record spanning two decades, I bring both the required breadth AND depth to the Region 2 Director position as an active IEEE volunteer at local, Regional, MGA and Technical Activities levels. I currently serve on the MGA Board overseeing global geographic activities and in leadership roles for two technical societies. At the IEEE level, I have served on multiple committees, including Governance and Strategic Alignment.

My focus is to:

• Energize geographic units through comprehensive support for volunteers with enhanced training, access to necessary tools, and mentorship opportunities.
• Inspire, attract and retain the younger generation through STEM activities, career connections and social/humanitarian activities.
• Enhance member engagement through agile Local Groups on emerging topics, continuing education opportunities and local conferences.
• Complete the merger of Regions 1 and 2 for a stronger organization.

Together, we will realize our shared vision of thriving geographic units, delighted and engaged members, and a lasting positive impact on society and our profession.
 

IEEE Accomplishments and Activities
(M’97-SM’98)

My volunteer experience for over two decades in many capacities across IEEE has provided me with the needed background to be a successful Region 2 Director.

At the Section level, I led the Northern Virginia Section (largest Section in Region 2) for three terms. Established monthly electronic newsletter, spurred volunteer recruitment and rejuvenated chapters. Served as Treasurer and Secretary for Northern Virginia Section and as Chair and Treasurer for Computer Society, Electron Devices Society, Society for Social Implications of Technology and Nanotechnology Council Chapters.

At the Region level, I currently serve on the Joint R1/R2 Strategic Planning Committee overseeing the merger of the two regions. I served in various other roles on Region 2 Committee including Conference Coordinator, Vitality Coordinator, Professional Activities Chair, ExCom Member, Area Chair, Employment and Career Services Coordinator, and Pre-College Education Coordinator.

I am currently President-Elect of the Society on Social Implications of Technology, having served on its Board of Governors for three years, and as the Organizing Chair for three Society Conferences.

As Vice-President for Chapters for Electron Devices Society (EDS), I fostered formation of new chapters worldwide and effectively directed continued service to local members during the pandemic. Have since been elected as Secretary for EDS.

As the MGA Vice-Chair for Geographic Activities, I oversee the geounit operations worldwide and provide needed resources. Also served in other MGA Vice-Chair roles including Member Engagement and Life Cycle and Strategic Planning. Re-chartered the MGA Strategic Direction and Environmental Assessment Committee and eliminated the Vice-Chair role leading to MGA Board size reduction.

As Chair of 2014 IEEE Sections Congress Program Committee, we delivered a highly acclaimed event with new elements such as Ignite talks that serve as models for subsequent Congresses.

I contributed to the restructuring of IEEE strategic planning process and alignment to lower organizational units.

As approved by the Board of Directors in 2022, IEEE is restructuring its 10 geographic regions to provide a more equitable representation across its global membership. Effective on 1 January 2028, the number of Regions located within the United States will be reduced from 6 to 5 Regions, with the combining of Region 1 (Northeastern USA) and Region 2 (Eastern USA) forming a 'new' Region 2 (Northeastern and Eastern USA). In the 2024 IEEE Annual Election, eligible voting members residing in current Region 2 (Eastern USA) will be electing the IEEE Region 2 Director-Elect for the term 2025-2026 (Director in 2027-2028). The newly elected officer will first serve as the Director of the current Region 2 (Eastern USA) in 2027 and then as the Director of the 'future' combined Region 2 (Northeastern and Eastern USA) in 2028. A simple majority ratification vote of the eligible voting members residing in Region 1 and Region 2 will take place for the second year of the 2027-2028 Director's term.

Learn more about Region Realignment here.