As the incoming ARRL Section Manager of W.Va., my most important function will be the selection of Section-level leadership officials who will serve with me and who will directly administer the specialized programs of the ARRL within our Section. I have begun the process of selecting these appointees and will, over the next several weeks, be making the appointments known to the amateurs in the state. I have been in contact with several candidates for these positions and am awaiting word from them as to their commitment to service. Although each and every section-level positions is important in its own right, arguably the two most important appointments that I can make or, any Section Manager can make for that matter, are the Section Traffic Manager and Section Emergency Coordinator positions.

We have all witnessed the tragic events of September 11th and have perhaps seen and heard how our Amateur Radio Emergency Service has been called upon to respond to the horrible aftermath. Likewise, our state is still reeling from the natural devastation that occurred with the floods of Southern W.Va. this past summer. We can never actually plan in detail for emergencies such as these because we do not know when they will actually occur or to what degree they will occur. But we can prepare for them and be ready to respond when we do indeed get the call.

At this time, I feel the W.Va. Section will be best served if there is no gap or void with the leadership change of these two positions during the transition with the Section Manager position. Therefore, I am compelled to announce my selections for the positions of STM and SEC prior to the October 1 start date at which time I will officially begin serving as the new ARRL Section Manager of West Virginia.

I am appointing Juddie Burgess, KC8CON to continue as our W.Va. Section Traffic Manager. I doubt there is a ham anywhere in our state that would argue whether KC8CON is the best candidate for this appointment. Juddie has demonstrated a devotion to our hobby that is both refreshing and contagious. He has earned the respect of the many outstanding net managers and net controllers as well as all hams around the state that are regular net check-ins. All of these folks have been working with him to build what I would consider one of the best Section traffic systems in the country.

With the Section Emergency Coordinator position, I wanted to select someone from the Charleston area that could work in conjunction with the OES at the State Capitol Complex if required and that had the leadership abilities to coordinate an efficient and effective ARES organization. I am pleased to announce the selection of Mac McMillian, W8XF as our W.Va. SEC. Mac has devoted many years of service to this and other segments of our hobby. He possesses the ability to excel in any endeavor he so chooses and he has made a solid commitment that he will give this important position the attention it rightly deserves.

Juddie and Mac have both pledged to work with each other, with me and with all amateurs in West Virginia to strengthen the networks within their respective organizations. They have both outlined their commitments, goals and objectives and have indicated their willingness to continue to build our statewide organization into a model for all other ARRL sections. They will be sharing their goals and commitments to the hams in our state in the very near future.

As far as our Section Traffic and ARES/RACES Systems are concerned, the events of September 11, 2001 should cause us to rethink our preparedness-- not our purpose. For we as amateur radio operators must be ready to respond and serve. After all, this is the reason we are granted the privilege of participating in this great hobby.

In the days and months ahead, we will no doubt be facing uncertainties and challenges. However, I am confident that the amateurs in this state will respond to any emergency that may arise. I am certain that Juddie and Mac are qualified for and capable of providing the leadership and direction if, Heaven forbid, that call should ever arise.

I would now like to call on all of our ARRL members as well as all of the amateurs in West Virginia to join with me in support of Juddie and Mac as they move forward in their respective appointments. They deserve our cooperation, our assistance, our participation, and our involvement.

Tnx es 73,

Hal, KC8FS

W.Va. ARRL SM