A Message from the President of AAEE:

Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineers,

Welcome to our newly inducted AAEE members, an exceptional group of researchers, executives, founders, and entrepreneurs. You each honor the Academy by your induction, and I am honored to serve as your AAEE President.

What a fantastic time to be associated with the University of Arkansas! On Wednesday, before the AAEE 2023 Annual Banquet, Chancellor Charles F. Robinson delivered the keynote address to the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce, where he presented his 3-point 100-Day Roadmap: Student Success, Employer of Choice, and Research Excellence. The Mission Statement for Research Excellence read, “Enhancing our research activity across the broad spectrum of areas that make us a comprehensive university while addressing societal problems and stimulating economic development throughout the state of Arkansas.” The presentation featured Power Electronics Research under EELG’s Alan Mantooth, Ph.D., and the MUSiC (Multi-User Silicon Carbide Semiconductor Research and Fabrication Facility). Then Saturday morning, prior to the AAEE business meeting, Dean Kim Needy expressed the College of Engineering’s vision of “growing the STEM workforce for Arkansas and the world by doubling the number of high-quality engineering graduates by 2035.”

The El Dorado-Union County Chamber is the economic development organization for both the city of El Dorado and Union County. As Chamber CEO, my largest hurdle in the recruitment of industry is finding a workforce with STEM-related skills. A current prospect we are recruiting will require thirty-eight electrical engineers on startup, thirty-eight! As a member of AAEE, I encourage you to promote STEM education in your communities, which is critical to the growth of our state and national economies.

Our officers and directors this year include:

  • Bill Luther – President and Board Member 2020-2024
  • Brad Gentry – Vice President, and Board Member 2023-2027

  • Robert Saunders – Secretary/Treasurer
  • Phillip Crippen – Board Member 2020-2024
  • Johnny Carlock – Board Member 2023-2027
  • Brian Sepko – Board member 2022-2025
  • Robert Post – Board member 2022-2025

I want to thank Phillip Crippen for his leadership this past year. I really appreciated his wisdom and wit in our periodic board meetings.

I look forward to seeing you at the Induction Banquet and business meeting in April of 2024.

All the best,

Bill Luther

AAEE President