Meet the Candidates

Below you will find all individuals running for election to the Board of Directors of the Radio Club of America. Review the information provided in order to make an educated vote.

Officer Candidates

<sub>Ronald Jakubowski - Treasurer (incumbent) - M1987, F1993

Biography:</sub>

_{Ron has served as the Radio Club Treasurer since 2011 and is a member of the Executive Committee.}   

_{Ron is retired from the position of Chief Engineer – RF Systems at Bird Technologies, TX RX Systems where he assisted Public Safety customers with major performance issues and also served on the TR-8 land mobile technical committee of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) as chair of TR-8.11, Antenna Systems and vice-chair of TR-8.18, Systems Compatibility.  He resides in Cape Canaveral, FL with his wife of 50 years, Kathleen.}

_{He is also retired from the Army with the rank of Major.}

_{He is currently active as a volunteer in Brevard County, FL RACES and is treasurer of the Brevard Emergency Amateur Radio Services.  He also remains active as a 52-year member of the Army Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS).  He is a Life Member of ARRL and a Life Senior Member of IEEE.} 

_{As a member of the RCA Board of Directors and Treasurer, I have been proud to support and facilitate and will continue to promote more membership participation in club activities by moving the annual banquet out of the NYC area and, especially, getting more young people interested in radio and its history.  As Treasurer, I have introduced budgeting and, through QuickBooks, provide detailed reports of our income and expenditures to the Board and EC so that they have the information necessary to determine how to best fund the Club and its activities.}

Margaret Lyons, P.E. - Secretary (Incumbent) M1998, F2003

Biography: 

Margaret has served as the Radio Club Treasurer since 2009. She serves on the Membership Committee and is the Chair of the Keeping RCA Vibrant Committee. Margaret is a Senior RF/Communications Engineering with Jacobs. A Professional Engineer with over 30 years’ experience in wireless communications, including: two-way radio, paging, and microwave radio systems engineering and consulting, she is a confident and articulate Engineer of Record for programs and projects in excess of $100M. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in West Lafayette Indiana and is a licensed Professional Engineer in NJ, NY, CT, PA, DE and VA. Ms. Lyons has been awarded Fellow of the Radio Club of America and of the Society of Women Engineers. She is a Senior Member of the IEEE and has received IEEE Region 1 award for Support of the IEEE Mission, and NJ Coast Section Outstanding WIE/EdSoc Volunteer and Chairman Award for Unstinting and Valuable Service Promoting Robotics and other Pre-University Activities In the NJ Coast Section. In 2019, she was selected to be an ABET university engineering Program Evaluator for the IEEE.

I am honored to accept the nomination to serve another term as Secretary for the Radio Club of America. My primary motivation for executive level involvement is that the Radio Club best captures, honors and encourages what I have most enjoyed working as an RF engineer: the variety of opportunities and aspects of working in radio as well as the overall one-family atmosphere of the radio community. I would like to direct my enthusiasm for this community toward an outlet where I can make a difference.

Chester "Barney" Scholl Jr., K3LA - Vice President / Counsel (Incumbent) M2016

Biography:
Chester B. Scholl, Jr. (M 2016) graduated from the University of Miami BSSA and Dickinson School of Law JD, 1974. He is a partner in the law firm of Fruit, Dill, Goodwin and Scholl. He held a First Class Radio Telephone license, holds an Extra class amateur radio license, and has been licensed since 1963. He is a life member of ARRL, helps other amateurs with zoning and other related legal issues in his role as Volunteer Counsel through the ARRL as well as clients in his legal practice, and is a Volunteer Examiner for amateur radio testing. He teaches Amateur Radio and law classes and has presented at and moderated the Legal Forum at the Xenia Ohio Hamvention. He helped his local Emergency Services Council plan for a county radio system. He has been solicitor, board member and officer for a number of charitable organizations. He has represented a local cellular carrier in land acquisition and general matters and landowners in tower transactions and leases. He is a member of the City of Hermitage Planning Commission and has been solicitor for Township and Zoning Hearing Boards. He is a Trustee and past president of Mercer County Bar Association.  He has been admitted to practice before Pennsylvania courts and the U. S. Supreme Court and Federal District Courts.

Position Statement:

I am running again for election as Vice President /Counsel for the Radio Club of America (RCA). Even though I have been involved in wireless most of my life and have heard of the Radio Club of America for years I had never joined. When the opportunity arose to get involved, I felt that I could add expertise based on my legal profession and knowledge of wireless. After I was elected in a special election in 2016 as Vice President/Counsel, I have since been re-elected. Since becoming an officer, I have started to learn the extent of the Club's members and activities. I look forward to continuing as an Officer to be able to contribute to the growth of the Club's activities both as counsel and with my experience in charitable organizations, both in the role as counsel and committees and hope to earn your vote in the coming election for Vice President/Counsel.

Edward Ryan, Vice President / Co-Counsel (Incumbent) M2016

Ed Ryan is a patent attorney and an amateur radio operator. Ed joined the RCA in 2016, with the twin goals of networking and staying current with developments in the wireless industry. Ed’s professional work has dealt with electronics, semiconductors, and wired and wireless network technologies, as well as trademarks and other intellectual property matters. His patent work includes patent applications for phased array antenna systems and mmWave transmission technologies. Other legal work has included prosecuting trademark applications, as well as intellectual property litigation in various forums.

               
Ed has a B.S. in Physics from Carnegie Mellon University (2005) and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law (2008), and has been registered as a patent attorney since 2009. His experience with volunteer-run organizations spans two decades, including social organizations and a local civic organization.  

Position Statement

This year I have helped safeguard RCA’s intellectual property, by filing a trademark application for our new name and logo and by defeating a trademark application by American Radio Club, causing them to change their name. I hope to continue to strengthen RCA’s intellectual property and legal position and to support the board with counsel as legal matters arise.

Director Candidates

Jon Paul Beauchamp, M2016

Jon Paul Beauchamp is a lifelong end user of two-way radio communications.  While in high school, and while at West Chester University, he volunteered with two ambulance companies, became a firefighter, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice (with dual  minors in Political Science and Social Work), all while serving a local agency as a police dispatcher.  After College, Beauchamp spent 20 years working as a private investigator, providing support for several national and international contracts.  Upon retiring in 2011, he partnered in a two-way radio dealership. 

In 2017 Beauchamp joined Icom America and has been making air-waves ever since.  Supporting teams of internal and external sales leaders has been a source of great pride.  Additional roles within the industry include RCA (board member), Enterprise Wireless Alliance (board member), National Wireless Communication Council, Communications Marketing Association, APCO International and several other organizations. Beauchamp considers himself fortunate to have these organizations as part of his life, where his current role as leader of the ICOM America Business Development team provides opportunity for his personal interests and professional world to collide in the best possible way.

Position Statement

I am excited to seek a second term.  I am proud to have participated in the rebranding committee, heading the Marketing committee, serving on the Sponsorship committee, and recently being named as the chair of the Membership committee I am looking forward to another term.  My goals and priorities include, growing and improving our brand recognition as a professional networking association within the wireless industry, continuing to support our educational outreach and driving membership recruitment. 

Rich is always willing to help the club. He has been a tremendous supporter and has served as a Director and as a member of various committees. Rich is well known and highly respected in the wireless industry. Rich is a true asset to the Radio Club of America.

Robert “Bob” LaRose, W6ACU, M2005, F2016

Co-founder of Assured Wireless Corporation (Retired), Radio Club of America Fellow, Life/Senior Member IEEE, member of the Antique Wireless Association, Community Volunteer. 

Bob’s interest in radio started when he received a Philmore Crystal Set for Christmas when he was 9 years old. He went on to receive his first amateur radio license (WV2NYC!) when he was 13. Bob’s early interest in radio became a vocation and career.
He received his BSEE from the Rochester Institute of Technology and during his career has worked for various radio/communications manufacturers including Harris Corp, Storno A/S (lived and worked in Denmark), Trans World Communications (now Datron World Communications) and retired as Western Regional Sales Manager for Raytheon/JPS Communications. In retirement he was one of the co-founders of Assured Wireless Corporation (now Nextivity Inc.) that developed the world’s first High Power LTE User Equipment (HPUE) for the FirstNet Broadband Public Safety communications network. Bob retired (again) in February 2023 and is now involved in several community volunteer programs.

Position Statement

After a rewarding fifty year career in wireless communications, as well as almost twenty years years deriving the benefits of membership in the Radio Club of America, I would like the opportunity to become a Director of the Club to give back to the Club, our industry, and the people within it. In the recent past RCA has made great strides to make itself more relevant to the latest technologies and future generations of wireless pioneers. I support those efforts and will also seek to foster closer relationships with synergistic groups such as the Antique Wireless Association (AWA)!

Andrew Maxymillian, M2004, F2016

Mr. Maxymillian is currently a Principal, and part owner, of Blue Wing Services.  Blue Wing Services provides engineering and project management radio communications consulting to public safety, as well as business and industrial clients.  His professional experience includes nearly thirty years in the radio communications industry.  His technical and professional background includes service in the United State Air Force, as well as positions with numerous radio manufacturers.

Mr. Maxymillian is also President of the Government Wireless Technology & Communications Association (GWTCA).  GWTCA advocates for policies of importance to its members and promotes the advancement of wireless technology and communications as an effective means for public transit, other public service and public safety agencies to complete their missions.

Mr. Maxymillian’s professional affiliations include serving on various NPSTC committees, including Spectrum Management and Broadband.  He is also a member of  IWCE’s Advisory Committee.  Professional affiliations include the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO), the Radio Club of America (elected as a Fellow in 2016), and the Project Management Institute (PMI).  Mr. Maxymillian is certified by PMI as a Project Management Professional (PMP). 

Mr. Maxymillian speaks frequently at industry events on topics such as project management, radio system design, and interference mitigation. 

Position Statement

First and foremost, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to run for the position of Director, Radio Club of America (RCA).

RCA is one of the most prestigious organizations in our industry and it is my privilege to have the ability to serve and give back in this capacity. Having reviewed the By-Laws, I understand the responsibilities of this position and I consider myself fully capable and experienced to perform the required tasks. My experience includes a long career in the radio communications industry, as well as Board positions on other organizations, including the Project Management Institute (PMI), where I eventually rose to the position of IT & Telecommunications Board Chair.  Also, my experience gained from owning and managing a company, as well as serving as President of the Government Wireless Technology & Communications Association (GWTCA), will prove to be invaluable in my tenure as Board Director.

My combined knowledge of the radio industry, along with my experience in leadership and management are the perfect mix for this position. I want to thank the RCA Board for the chance to be considered and I hope to receive your vote.

Nick Pennance M2016

Nick Pennance is the Chief Revenue Officer for Tait Communications where he is responsible for leading the Worldwide Sales Organization including Sales Engineering, Revenue Operations, Channel Sales, Services and Customer Success. With a diverse background in engineering and sales, he combines a deep understanding of development and design methodologies with end-to-end customer experience to drive exceptional corporate revenue strategies leading to double digit growth.

Prior to this role, Nick was President of Tait Americas where he successfully grew the and developed a Channel strategy disrupting markets where Tait had little brand awareness. He has held multiple positions of increasing responsibility within his 30 years of international Communications service and continues to drive top-tier performance through excellent teamwork.

Originally from England, Nick holds a BEng (Hons) in Communications Engineering from the University of Plymouth and has been actively involved in Land Mobile Communications technology for over 20 years, initially leading the design and development of Taits P25 Subscriber equipment and later responsible for P25 Sales, certifications, and compliance testing. As an active supporter of P25 over the years Nick is currently a Member of the Board of Directors of PTIG, the P25 Technology Interest Group. Nick is also an active Board member of the Enterprise Wireless Alliance, he holds an Extra Class Amateur Radio license and is a member of the Radio Club of America.

In his free time, he enjoys an active lifestyle spending time with his wife, son, and two daughters.

Carole Perry WB2MGP

Carole Perry WB2MGP is the recipient of many national and international awards honoring her efforts of showcasing and supporting young people in wireless technology.  In 2019 she was the first recipient of the “Carole Perry Educator of the Year” award. In 1980 she wrote the curriculum for an “Introduction to Amateur Radio” class which she taught at Intermediate School 72 in Staten Island, New York for 24 years; having over 900 students a year in this popular course. The 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade students got to make several space shuttle contacts and had the opportunity of speaking with ham radio astronauts and other students around the world, while learning about geography, astronomy, radio phenomena, science and math.

Carole has moderated the Dayton Hamvention Youth Forum and Instructors’ Forum for 34 years; featuring 8 to 10 talented young hams who inspire other youth in the audience to pursue technical studies and careers in the wireless industry.  She moderates Youth Forums across the country and internationally, as well.  RCA Young Achievers are always presenters at her forums. With the cancellation of many in-person conventions, Carole has given her young presenters the opportunity of joining her on virtual venues where they can share their interests in wireless technologies.

       
Carole Perry is an RCA Director and chairperson of RCA Youth Activities.  She is also a Director of QCWA (Quarter Century Wireless Association) and chairperson of its Youth Activities program.

Position Statement

I have been on the Board of Directors for over a decade where I have created the RCA Youth Activities program that visits schools and museums across the country to inspire youth in technology through the fun of amateur radio.  I have moderated the Dayton Hamvention Youth Forum for 35 years, showcasing and supporting 8 to 10 young presenters every year. We moderate Youth Forums at many national radio conventions and promote college bound RCA Young Achievers to apply for the RCA Young Achiever Scholarship.  We also support our Young Achievers when they enter the wireless industry.

I am also a member of the RCA Scholarship committee, the RCA Mentor/Mentee committee and the RCA Awards committee.

Ajay K. Poddar, M2023

Ajay K. Poddar, Amateur Radio Call Sign (AC2KG) is a distinguished individual within the field of electrical engineering and electronics. He holds the esteemed title of IEEE Fellow and is a member of IEEE Eta-Kappa-Nu. Dr. Poddar educational background is exceptional. He graduated from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, India, setting the foundation for his academic journey. Subsequently, he earned his Doctorate (Dr.-Ing.) from the Technical University Berlin in Germany, followed by a Post Doctorate (Dr.-Ing. habil) from Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus, Germany. His academic achievements underscore his commitment to excellence in research and innovation.

Currently, Dr. Poddar serves as the Chief Scientist at Synergy Microwave in NJ, USA, where he plays a pivotal role in the design and development of cutting-edge signal generation and signal processing electronics, RF-MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems), and Metamaterial-Antenna/Sensors/Electronics. His work extends across a broad spectrum of applications, encompassing industrial, medical, and space technologies. Dr. Poddar’s contributions to academia are equally impressive. He holds positions as a visiting professor at the University of Oradea in Romania, the Indian Institute of Technology Jammu in India, and a guest lecturer at the Technical University Munich in Germany. These roles highlight his commitment to knowledge dissemination and his willingness to share his expertise with students and researchers around the world.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Poddar spent a decade (1991-2001) as a Senior Scientist in the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) under the Ministry of Defense in India. During this period, he also served as a visiting Professor at the University of Pune in India, further emphasizing his dedication to both research and academics. Recognition and accolades have been an integral part of Dr. Poddar's career. He has received numerous awards throughout his professional journey, with highlights including: (1) the 2015 IEEE IFCS Cady Award, which acknowledged his outstanding scientific contributions in the development of frequency-generating and frequency-controlled electronics and timing devices, with applications spanning industrial, medical, and space technologies, (2)the  2018 IEEE MGA (Member and Geographic Activities) Innovation Award, recognizing his dedicated volunteer service to IEEE members, chapters, and humanitarian projects, (3) The 2015 IEEE Region 1 (R1) Award for "Outstanding Scientific Contributions, Leadership, and Service", (4) The 2009 IEEE Region 1 (R1) Award for "Outstanding Leadership and Contributions in the Research, Design, and Development of Microwave Systems".

Dr. Poddar’s impact extends beyond awards and recognitions. He has contributed significantly to scientific literature, having published over 350 scientific papers in journals, magazines, and conference proceedings. In addition to his publications, he has co-authored six technical books/chapters and holds more than 40 patents for scientific and technological innovations. Mentoring and education are also integral parts of Dr. Poddar's career. Over the past three decades, he has supervised numerous Ph.D. students from around the world, nurturing the next generation of engineers and scientists. He has also served as an Editor for several technical journals and currently holds positions on various scientific committees, professional societies, and voluntary organizations. Dr. Poddar's leadership extends to his role as the Chair of the Global IEEE Antenna & Propagation Society Chapter Activity Committee. Under his leadership, more than 100 chapters have been established worldwide over the last decade, fostering connectivity and collaboration within the IEEE community and benefiting local members and communities.

Dr. Poddar’s commitment to humanitarian and global issues is evident through his active involvement with IEEE SIGHT (Special Interest Group on Humanitarian Technology), IEEE Smart Village initiatives, and efforts related to global and climatic changes. His dedication to IEEE MGA activities further demonstrates his commitment to advancing the field and serving the broader engineering community. In summary, Dr. Poddar’s’ illustrious career is characterized by exceptional achievements in research, education, and leadership. His work has had a profound impact on the fields of electronics, signal processing, and microwave systems, and his dedication to mentorship and community involvement has made him a prominent figure in the IEEE and humanitarian community and beyond.