On August 31st, James Mercier, PE, a founder of the IEEE (PI)2 Austin Joint Chapter and the Chapter Treasurer, received the IEEE-USA George F. McClure Citation of Honor “For dedicated leadership promoting vibrant professional activities facilitating cross-organizational  relationships within IEEE and with industry partners.”

The congratulatory letter from David Iams, on behalf of the IEEE-USA Awards and Recognition Committee stated that James has honored IEEE with his contributions and services in the area of professional activities, and the IEEE-USA Board of Directors was very pleased to recognize his efforts.

The selection for this Citation is based on outstanding dedication, efforts, significance, and most particularly on clear evidence of successful accomplishments and achievements in advancing the social, economic, legal, and ethical objectives of the profession and thus securing recognition of IEEE professional activities in the United States. One Citation may be given per year, and does not need to be given if there is no suitable candidate.

James is a founder of the IEEE (PI)2 Austin Joint Chapter and the Chapter Treasurer, and anyone who has attended a (PI)2  Austin program knows James’ energy, wit, smile, handle-bar mustache, and a story for every occasion. James works tirelessly for his chapter and section, and supports IEEE members, young and experienced, in the IEEE CTS Section and  around the globe. 

He has been a dedicated volunteer to serve the engineers of Central Texas throughout his 30+ years as an engineer. He is an IEEE Life Member and has been active in the IEEE Power & Energy Society throughout his career. He served 4 years in the US Air Force, and afterward completed an apprenticeship program and became a Journeyman Wireman, working in power plants, steel mills, refineries, schools, traffic signals, and offices. He returned to college at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, and earned a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering, working as an Environmental Engineer before relocating to Texas. He worked for TxDOT for the remained of his career, specializing in reviewing electrical plans, specifying grounding practices, jobsite inspections for code compliance, lightning protection, and open channel hydraulics. He is licensed as a Professional Engineer in Texas and five other states and is a licensed Master Electrician in Texas and the City of Austin.

James has brought, in addition to his energy and dynamic personality, all this diverse and well-rounded knowledge and experience to IEEE activities and leadership positions in Central Texas and supporting Society activities throughout the United States.

James Mercier has been a driving force for the IEEE PES Central Texas Chapter during his career in Texas, and for the Industry Applications, Power Electronics, and Industrial Electronics Society Chapters since 2001. Although the Power and Energy Society was established in Central Texas at the formation of the IEEE back in the late 1960s, membership activities were becoming less frequent at the turn of the millennium. The Chapter held meetings halfway between San Antonio and Austin to draw engineers from both cities, but as workdays grew longer and corporate support for time to participate in professional activities dwindled, the 45-60 minute commute to a professional meeting became a problem

James broached the strategy for each city to have separate meetings in convenient locations, and he took the lead in organizing the meetings in Austin, TX, and was the first chair in 2001 and 2002. This effort was memorialized in a “Construction News” newsletter in 2002. James also orchestration the outreach to IAS, PELS and IES, to form a joint Chapter. The (PI)2 Chapter has remained strong and continues to grow, as James was as elected as Chair in 2017, and Treasurer in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Throughout, he has also served as the Workshop Chair, organizing training events annually and Senior Upgrade events for the benefit of area engineers. We thank him for his service, and are honored to work with him. Congratulations, James!