On April 13, 2024, the IEEE VTS Philadelphia Chapter received the 2024 Philadelphia Section Chapter of the Year Award. It was presented to Brandon Swartley, Chapter Chair, at the 2024 Annual Awards and Recognition Dinner at the Alloy in King of Prussia, PA. The Chapter’s other officers are Harvey Glickenstein, Vice Chair, and Bob Fisher, Secretary/Treasurer. Of the 36 Technical Societies and Councils represented in the IEEE, the Philadelphia Section has 16 Chapters covering disciplines of 24 Societies and Councils. The Chapters assist in the broad technical education of the membership. They sponsor technical meetings, seminars, educational courses, and inspection trips. In addition, the local chapters support society conferences held in the Section territory. Chapters displaying outstanding activities and efforts during the year are singled out for recognition through the “Chapter of the Year Award.”

The IEEE VTS Philadelphia Chapter has been given this award “…for exceptional leadership in developing effective chapter activities and encouraging their growth.“

Mr. Swartley attended the ceremony with co-workers from STV Incorporated, including Rich Ligmanowski, Jerry Jakubowski, and John Ponzio.

I would like thank the IEEE Philadelphia Section for honoring our Chapter with this award. The last time the VTS Philadelphia Chapter won an award was April 2013.  This past year has been very active and includes the following recent accomplishments:

• 6 meetings in 2023
• 63, 51, 37, 31, and 48 attendees at our last five chapter meetings in 2023
• One joint meeting with the section in 2023
• A completely new website developed in 2019 that is actively used
• The only chapter in the section to use an online continuing education form to evaluate presentations
• 105 PDH certificates issued in 2022 and 2023
• Presentations saved on website for attendees’ reference