KEYNOTE SPEAKER ​Russ Harrison, – Director Government Relations at IEEE
DATE Saturday, November 7th , 2020
TIME 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
PLACE Virtual – Virtual –

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Meeting ID: 846 8157 9593
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AGENDA 6:30 pm – 6:45 pm  Check-in – Dave Perez

6:45 pm  –  7:15 pm:  Science Fair Videos & Recognition – Nick Kovacs

7:15 pm  –  8:00 pm:   Keynote Talk: Russ Harrison

“Technology Engineers, COVID, and Public Policy”

8:00 pm – 8:30 pm:   Awards & Recognition – Steve Hary, Charles Cerny, Guru Subramanyam

Dr. Fritz J. Russ Bio-Engineering Award

Harrell V. Noble Award

Chapter and Affinity Awards

Recognition of new IEEE Life Members

Krishna M. Pasala, Ph.D. Memorial Scholarship

Outstanding Students – IEEE Student Chapters

8:30 pm – 9:00 pm:   Members Orientation & Closing Remarks – Charles Cerny

 

SPEAKER BIO

 

 

Russell Harrison is the Director of Government Relations for the IEEE-USA, the American component of the world’s largest technical professional society. Russ’ team of government relations experts serve as the eyes, ears and voice of technology professionals in the U.S. Russ personally manages IEEE-USA’s efforts to enact high-skill immigration and STEM education reform.

Russ has been with IEEE-USA for eighteen years. Prior to that, he worked for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, the American Iron and Steel Industry and the American Trucking Association. Overall, Russ has over 25 years of experience working in Washington, D.C.

Russ has spoken to over 270 local, state, national and international IEEE groups about engineers’ role in the public policy process, making him one of the most sought-after speakers within IEEE. His talks focus on specific policy areas ranging from space to K-12 education, intellectual property to cybersecurity – and ways for individual engineers to be part of the policy development process.

Russ has a Master’s in Public Management from the University of Maryland and a B.A. in political science, with minors in history and communications from Allegheny College. He is a Certified Association Executive (ASAE) and Planning Commissioner (Virginia Tech).

Address: Washington, District of Columbia, United States

SPEAKER ABSTRACT

2021 is shaping up to be an interesting year for engineers.  Join IEEE-USA’s Director of Government Relations, Russ Harrison, for a look into the future as we discuss several big public policy debates that will have profound effects on IEEE members and our careers.

Both political Parties have proposed huge increases in technology research funding.  Learn what sectors are they targeting, why, and the prospects of big legislation next year.

Competing plans have been put forward for classifying workers as independent contractors.  Done incorrectly, these plans could make it virtually impossible for technology consultants to maintain their independence – as California almost did last year.  Learn about the proposals, how they will affect you, and what can be done about them.

NASA and space travel has been one notable area of bipartisan success over the past 20 years.  Will it continue?  We’ll discuss the future of Space Force, commercial space, and the prospects for a return to the Moon in the near future.

As we prepare for these and other policy debates next year, COVID has changed how our elected leaders interact with their constituents in ways that strengthen the voices of IEEE members.  We have a role to play in these debates, if we want to play it.  Russ will explain what that role is, and suggest ways we can influence these and other issues that will directly impact our careers and professions.