ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager to Step Down

ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, has announced that he will depart ARRL on 15th February 2019 to pursue another career opportunity. He has been part of the ARRL staff since 2010.

“Mike has accomplished much during his nine years on the job, including expanding the Ham Aid program, national disaster response, working with our national partners, and, most recently, the rollout of ARES Connect. The Headquarters team will miss Mike’s friendly personality and wishes him well in his pursuits. As Mike is an active ham, there is a good chance we will run into him on the air.”

— ARRL CEO Howard Michel, WB2ITX.

As part of the overall restructuring at ARRL Headquarters, ARRL management will take the opportunity to examine the administration of the emergency preparedness program.

Geoffrey Starks Sworn in as FCC Commissioner

The FCC now officially has its full complement of five members. Democrat Geoffrey Starks, who succeeds Mignon Clyburn on the Commission, was sworn in January 30. He formerly served as assistant bureau chief in the FCC Enforcement Bureau and in the US Department of Justice.

“I am deeply honored to serve as a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, and I thank the President and the United States Senate for this exceptional privilege.” Starks said in a statement. “As the last few weeks have affirmed, being a public servant is a calling to serve a mission bigger than yourself. Throughout my career, I have focused on protecting the most vulnerable and holding wrongdoers accountable. In my new role, I shall not only continue to pursue those goals, but also look forward to working with Congress, my fellow Commissioners, and the FCC’s outstanding staff.” Starks, who holds a law degree from Yale, said that every community “has a stake in the future of communications in this country, and all have the right to be heard. I will always be listening.”

Republican Brendan Carr, who already was sitting on the Commission after appointment to an unexpired term, recently was reconfirmed for a new full 5-year term. Three of the FCC’s five members are traditionally of the same political party as the President.

New ARRL West Gulf Division Director

John Robert Stratton, N5AUS, of Austin, Texas, is the new ARRL West Gulf Division Director. Stratton, the incumbent Vice Director, moved up to the Director’s chair after Director Dr. David Woolweaver, K5RAV, announced his immediate retirement during the ARRL Board of Directors meeting 18-19th January 2019.

New ARRL West Gulf Division Director - John Robert Stratton, N5AUS

An attorney, Stratton served as West Gulf Division Vice Director since 2009, when he was appointed to succeed Woolweaver, who became Director following the resignation of then-Director Coy Day, N5OK.

Woolweaver served as West Gulf Vice Director from 2000 until 2009, and as Director from 2009 until 2019. During his tenure, he served on several committees, including the ARRL Board Executive Committee. He is a member of the ARRL Foundation Board of Directors.

Stratton holds a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas and is a graduate of the University of Texas Law School. ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, will fill the vacant West Gulf Division Vice Director’s position by appointment.