Harvey Freeman

Candidate's Statement

“Continuous Innovation” is the key.  It’s what keeps our field of communications new and exciting and keeps our Society fresh.  As the most experienced candidate in this election, I have been proposing and implementing new ideas and ventures for ComSoc for over 25 years.  From the first conference on computer communications (IEEE INFOCOM) to the current ad hoc and sensor networks (IEEE SECON), from the first magazine on networks magazine (IEEE Network Magazine) to on-line tutorials (Tutorials Now), I have worked to keep ComSoc relevant and in the forefront of the professional community advancing communications technologies.  In my current position as CIO, I continue this effort with increasing the interactive tools for collaboration and communication, automation of conference processes, and use of new technologies.  As President, I will carry on this charge, ever seeking the best, most innovative ways to improve and grow our presence and relevance.

I ask for your support and vote for President-Elect so that I can heighten these efforts and expand them globally.  Among my agenda items are expansion of ComSoc’s presence in Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America, with emphasis on India, China, and Russia, as many bright potential members work and reside there; increasing Chapter activities and integrating these activities into other parts of ComSoc.  I will work closely with communications industry associations to bring more practical content to our conferences and to share and communicate best practices with our members.  In addition, as the “Internet Revolution” has made such an impact on society, I would direct ComSoc’s technical activities to continuing and increasing the Internet’s huge socio-economic success.

Harvey is President of HAF Consulting, Inc., a Minneapolis-based technology consulting and project management company.  With over thirty years of experience in the communications field he specializes in designing/managing innovative technology-based solutions.  He received his B.S.E.E. degree from the University of Pennsylvania and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois.

Harvey is a long-term, enthusiastic volunteer in the Communications Society.  As Chief Information Officer, he is in his seventh term on the Board of Governors, recently completing terms as VP of Membership Services and VP of Technical Activities.  Previously, Harvey was ComSoc Treasurer for four years.  His numerous contributions to the technical growth of and membership advancement in ComSoc include founder/first Editor-in-Chief of the highly regarded IEEE Network Magazine,  founder/first General Chair and current Standing Committee Chair of IEEE INFOCOM, and founder of IEEE SECON, ComSoc’s Conference on Sensor & Ad Hoc Communications & Networks.  He served on the Meetings & Conferences Board, Strategic Planning Committee, Awards Committee, Staff & Facilities Committee, and Nominations & Elections Committee.  In 2001, he was honored with ComSoc’s Meetings & Conferences Exemplary Service Award.  In 2004, he received the Society’s Donald W. McLellan Meritorious Service Award.