A Year to Remember

As I sit here in my warm home, four days before Christmas, reflecting on this past year, I am compelled to offer my sincere thanks to all the people that made my time as ISA President an amazing experience. Even with all the heartache that this year brought, I am optimistic that the years ahead will provide our Membership with the kind of Society from which they can all benefit and to which they can all be proud to belong. I base my optimism on all of the passionate, engaged, and loyal Members of ISA. Our Membership is second to none. As an ISA Member since 1985, my love for this association increases each and every year. Also, I am continually impressed and thankful for the ISA Staff. If the Membership is the fabric of our Society, then our staff would be the thread that binds us all together. Our staff has experienced the highs and lows that this year has offered. Even with this, they have pushed through with high levels of professionalism and class. Our Members are extremely fortunate to have such people to work with and to call our friends.

A special thank you goes to the 2009 Executive Board. The decisions that they needed to make from the high responsibility of their position were quite difficult and the manner in which they handled them was quite admirable. We debated, discussed, and argued always with the Member in mind. Anyone who says otherwise is misinformed. A special thank to our Finance Committee. Through numerous meetings, they developed the budget that will set ISA on a path for future success.

Thanks go out to the Executive Committee:
•Terry Ives, for the effective and professional manner that you completed your duties of Treasurer.
•Declan Lordan and Mario Cash, for your passion, commitment, and friendship—the Members were well represented by both of you.
•Kim Miller Dunn, our 2008 Society President, for your professionalism, class, and grace which was much appreciated during my year as President. I will always cherish our times working for the Membership.
•Nelson Ninin, who takes over as President in a couple of weeks, for you I offer my continued support and, when requested, my advice.

I just want to commit to you all my focus and effort in making our association better than ever. I will always be there to offer my assistance.

A special thanks goes to Pat Gouhin, our Executive Director. He continues to impress me with his level of professionalism and mental toughness. In my opinion, ISA is fortunate to have you on our team. Debbie Eby, you are the greatest!

Finally, I thank all ISA Members for their interest in the profession of automation. I see great things in the future for automation. I am sure that ISA will be at the forefront in driving and supporting initiatives to help make those great things a reality.

All the best for 2010,

Jerry Cockrell
2009 Society President

P.S. Though this is my last ISA Connections Blog entry, my Blogging does not end here. I invite you follow my entries and musings from my term as Chair of the Automation Federation starting in January when I take over the AF Chair’s Blog.

A New Beginning

A well-known phrase that comes to mind as we look to the future is, “Today is the first day of the rest of our lives.” This phrase holds true for us because it is indeed a new beginning for ISA.

As many of you know, the Society has had to make difficult decisions in the recent months. Like many companies and organizations, we’ve been hit by the economy and we have reacted quickly to ensure long-term viability and success for the organization. You can be proud of the committees and leaders that worked to develop the strategies and business models that the executive board reviewed, discussed, and approved at the Fall Leader Meeting in Houston. They have worked diligently to present the best plans to move the Society forward, and they are committed to working with each of you to implement those strategies.

We all have the chance to make something that has always been special in our lives even more special. Among other things, the opportunity to develop the premier technical conference for automation as a focal point is there for the taking. My vision is to have a conference that will evolve into the “must attend” event of the profession. It will be the driving force for many ancillary activities that complement the knowledge, networking, and collaborative opportunities on which the Society can thrive. Albeit on a smaller scale than years’ past, an exhibit component will be fully integrated into the landscape of the event, allowing for unprecedented levels of access and exclusivity for this much valued part of the community. The latest knowledge and information will be disseminated to technicians, engineers, scientists, and academics from around the world—further strengthening our brand and the technical credibility behind it.

Possibilities for certification, publications, standards, and training are only limited by our failure to dream. These bring out the technical content on which ISA can thrive moving forward. ISA has a tremendous foundation of products and services that provide benefits to all of our Members. We must not forget this and we must all work to broadly communicate that value.

To ensure success, we all must come together to work as one team. Together, we will be able to do great things. My vision is full of optimism. You have my commitment as Society President—and as soon to be Past President—that every bit of effort possible will be spent working the dream. I hope that each of you will pledge your efforts to work the dream. Hold your head high and champion the thoughts on which tomorrow will be built.

Jerry
2009 ISA President

The Challenging Field of Automation

An ISA and AF initiative that is near and dear to me, as a lifetime academic person, is the workforce development program planned for students and young automation professionals this year in Houston. Some of the activities included in this program are listed below. If you are attending Automation Week and ISA EXPO I hope you will take some time to meet and greet these automation professionals of the future. This is a chance for you to tell them how much you enjoy your work in automation. Let them know that this field holds many challenges and opportunities. Be sure to encourage them to join or to continue their membership in the International Society of Automation. But above all, encourage them to pursue or continue to pursue a career in automation.

Help us build the Automation Generation at Automation Week!

Automation Career Connection at Automation Week and ISA EXPO offers a multitude of activities related to careers in automation. It is designed to bring industry professionals, academia, college students, middle and high school students, and those interested in getting involved with the automation profession to these special automation career-related events.

• YAPFEST – This networking event gives students and automation professionals—ages 18-30—the chance to meet with others who are interested in careers in automation. All in a festive atmosphere! If you are 18-30 years of age, you are invited to attend. 300 attendees anticipated!
  
  

• iAU2M8.09 – This event introduces the concept of automation to middle and high school students and provides examples of the many career choices available through educational displays, a keynote presentation, and more activities related to the automation profession. 600 students anticipated!
  
  

• Undergraduate Student Research Conference – This event provides an opportunity for pre-selected college students to show their fundamental knowledge and skills in an information exchange focused on research projects. Open to all!
  
  
• Business & Academic Leads Roundtable - Presented by the Institute for a Competitive Workforce - US Chamber of Commerce, this program invites business and academia to come together to discuss critical topics, such as:
  
  -Business-Education Partnerships: The Road Both Traveled
  -Better Education Data—A Key to Effective Educational Decisions
  -The National Governors Association—Common Core Initiative
  
  This program will be held on 6 October from 9:00 a.m.–10:45 a.m. Open to all!

• Re-employment Webcast Summit - This live webinar, presented by the US Department of Labor, will focus on critical areas of concern for the unemployed and "need-to-knows" for re-employment into the workforce. Those currently unemployed in the automation profession or those looking to advance in their careers are encouraged to attend. This free webinar will take place on 7 October from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Open to all!
  
  

These workforce development events will serve 1,000+ people at all age levels as they learn more about careers in automation and how to improve their current careers in automation. Check out the ISA EXPO onsite program or the registration desk for details about these events.

See you at ISA EXPO 2009,

Jerry Cockrell
2009 ISA President

The Dog Days of Summer

The Fall Leaders Meeting (FLM) and ISA EXPO signal a culmination of effort for the year, leading to many decision-making meetings for ISA leaders. The various committees, the Activity Boards, the Executive Board, and the Council of Society Delegates all come together to deliberate and to make decisions on the operation and activities of ISA.

This year is especially important because of the great challenges we all face and the challenges that must be addressed. As Members and leaders, it is up to us to address these challenges in a responsible manner. As Society President, I will focus my efforts in addressing these challenges with the Member always in mind. And, I am completely confident that your leadership also will have the Member in mind as they too address these challenges.

I hope each of you, the ISA Members, will take advantage of the tremendous opportunity that EXPO offers. You can get an unbiased look at some of the newest and most interesting technology available today. And, you can step into the future of automation through the keynote and the numerous technical presentations.

Just the other day, someone brought up a question that I found quite interesting to ponder. They wanted a short explanation of what ISA actually meant to the Member in terms of benefits. This was not to include the vast number of products and services offered by ISA. Most are aware that the core competencies of education and training, publications, certification, standards, and conferences and exhibits provide tangible benefits to ISA Members; but, these areas do not really get to the heart of the question, “What is ISA?”

Let me try to explain the reason we exist, from Jerry’s point of view. First and foremost, we are an association of like-minded individuals with a common interest. The ISA Membership is grounded in a common knowledge base defined by automation. Every one of us can speak in terms of loops, control, transmitters, PLC’s, final control, and all the terms and concepts that make up the field of automation. We may work is different industries, but still we are based in that common language.

ISA is the association that gives each of us an identity as a professional involved in some part of the world of automation. ISA is the place we all go to tap into that knowledge base for our profession. Be it accessing a standard, obtaining a book, getting training, earning certification or licensure, or interacting with fellow professionals, this society provides the place to go for everything in automation. So what is the reason for ISA’s existence? I think it is to provide a place for improving the Member’s knowledge, competence, professionalism, performance, and leadership in their work and personal lives. What do you think?

I hope to see you in Houston Texas in early October.

Jerry Cockrell
2009 ISA President

Mid-Summer Ramblings: Good News. Bad News.

It has been a couple of weeks since the Summer Leaders Meeting in Indianapolis. I am confident in saying that from all indications, the meeting venue in downtown Indy was indeed successful. Those leaders in attendance came together as a team to consider how to move ISA forward in these tough economic times. I am honored to be associated with such a highly professional group.

One of our Members and a Distinguished Service Award recipient, Douglas A. Decker, P.E., has been selected for induction into the inaugural class of twenty-two members to the Energy Efficiency Forum Hall of Fame. The induction ceremonies were held in Washington DC on 15 June 2009, prior to the start of the 20th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum held at the National Press Club.

After graduating from the University of Denver with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration and Engineering, Decker started a 43-year career with Johnson Controls Inc., a Fortune 100 company—rising to the position of Vice President, Government Business, before retiring in 2001.

Twenty years ago, Decker conceived the necessity of an annual forum on energy efficiency in which national and international leaders in government and business would come together to share ideas on energy efficient concepts and their implementation. This was the beginning of the annual Energy Efficiency Forum, co-sponsored by Johnson Controls Inc. and the US Energy Association. Decker served as chairman of the forum for its first twelve years, until his retirement.
I am pleased to offer sincere congratulations on behalf of ISA to Douglas on this great achievement.

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On a sad note, we lost another former ISA President, Keith Herbst—ISA President 1989. I came to know Keith over the years through my various positions within ISA. I was always impressed with his high level of dignity and professionalism. Keith was a classy individual who had a profound effect on this ISA leader. I will always think of Keith Herbst as one of those leaders I would most like to emulate. Keith will be missed. May he rest in peace!

Jerry Cockrell
2009 ISA President

This is Big!

A group of very dedicated volunteers from the Automation Federation and ISA have been working on developing an Automation Competency Model with the US Department of Labor (DOL). In April, these efforts were finalized with the very first completed competency model.

This is a big accomplishment because it provides a basis for defining the automation profession. The model will be the document that is used by the Automation Federation, ISA, employers, employees, and those future automation professionals who may aspire to become part of this dynamic field.

The Automation Competency Model is made up of the knowledge, skills, and traits that will define and describe an automation professional. I am very proud to say that the DOL and our volunteers used the Automation Body of Knowledge and the ISA Certified Automation Professional® (CAP®) certification program as information resources for the development of this Model. I have a vision for the application of this document to our workforce development efforts by ISA and the Automation Federation. Academia at the two- and four-year educational levels will find the document very helpful in developing new automation-related curricula.

The DOL recently held a Roundtable for US and European Union representatives to discuss “Skills for Growth and Jobs in the Economic Recovery and Beyond.” The Roundtable, held May 28-29, in Washington, D.C., centered on workforce development strategies for economic recovery. The DOL representatives used the Automation Competency Model as an example as they discussed the importance of Competency Models for the development of worker skill sets for future economic recovery efforts. Subsequent to the Roundtable, the Automation Federation and the European Union have agreed to further discussions regarding the Automation Competency Model and how it can be utilized by the members of the EU. This means the Model is going global!

If you would like to review the model, it can be accessed at www.automationfederation.org/model. This is one more example of your fellow association members working hard to develop automation as a profession that we can all be proud to be a part of. I salute all of the volunteers and staff who played a part in this BIG effort.

I also look forward to welcoming those leaders who will travel to my home state of Indiana, for the Summer Leaders Meeting. If you are not a native of Indiana, then for five days you all will be honorary Hoosiers.

Jerry Cockrell

Vernon Trevathan & Jim Lawrence

We lost two more great ISA leaders recently. Vernon Trevathan passed on earlier this month. I have come to know and admire Vernon over the past few years for his tireless work on various PDD (Professional Development Department) projects, especially CAP® (Certified Automation Professional®). I have heard him referred to as the “Father of CAP,” a designation that was well deserved. I always knew that if there was a question about CAP, Vernon was the guy to ask.

I admired Vernon for his grace and style. He was always the consummate professional. Vernon would always have the time to discuss ISA with his fellow leaders. His legacy will live on in ISA, CAP, the Automation Body of Knowledge, and PDD. Those of us who were honored with the opportunity to know and work with Vernon are quite fortunate. I will miss Vernon as will ISA Staff and his fellow leaders. I offer condolences to his family for the loss. Just know that there is a sizable group of friends thinking of Vernon. He will be in our hearts forever. May he rest in peace!

Also this week, I received notice that Jim Lawrence passed away. Jim was a dear friend, mentor, and respected ISA colleague. He was one of the leaders who encouraged and guided me to become an ISA leader. Jim was a former District 6 VP and a very active Life Member. You could always count on Jim to be at leadership meetings and to get involved in helping make ISA the society it is today. I hear that the Wednesday before his death, Jim attended an ISA Section leadership meeting. He even volunteered to visit some educational institutions in Wisconsin to work with students. I will miss you Jim Lawrence. May you rest in peace!

Respectfully,
Jerry Cockrell