2024
At the 2024 IEEE PES General Meeting in Seattle, Chapter Chair Eric Meier and Treasurer Melvin Joseph-Moncey accepted IEEE PES Frank Lambert Outstanding Chapter Awards (large) in recognition of the Chapter Activity in 2023 on behalf of the PI2 Chapter. Throughout 2023, the chapter maintained a high tempo of mostly in person technical events hosting 21 different events. These activities ranged from the chapter’s traditional technical meetings to social networking events that brought members together to promote PES. We had ten technical meetings, two tours, two virtual talks, and one workshop.
Pictured from left to right: Melvin Joseph-Moncey, Dr. Shay Bahramirad – 2024 IEEE PES President, and Eric Meier
2022
IEEE (PI)2 Austin invite the Central Texas Product Safety Engineering Society to become its 5th Society Chapter member. Thanks to James Mercier and Charles Goertz for making this happen!
2019
James Mercier, PE, a founder of the IEEE (PI)2 Austin Joint Chapter and the Chapter Treasurer, has been awarded the IEEE-USA George F. McClure Citation of Honor “For dedication leadership promoting vibrant professional activities facilitating cross-organizational relationships within IEEE and with industry partners.”
2011
On February 8, 2011, the IEEE PES Central Texas Chapter in Austin members and the IEEE IAS Chapter members received approval from IEEE to form a joint chapter of four Societies, named IEEE (PI)2 Austin:
- Power & Energy
- Industry Applications
- Power Electronics (new to Austin)
- Industrial Electronics (new to Austin)
2008
IEEE PES Name Change from Power Engineering to Power & Energy.
2001
The Central Texas Chapter of IEEE PES changed its location to Austin in 2001. It had its inaugural meeting on Tuesday, May 22, 2001 at the then Clarion Hotel at US-35 and Live Oaks Street, with Forrest Arnold opening the meeting, convening elections, which resulted in the following officers: James Mercier – Chair, Steve Kanetzky – Vice-Chair and Roy Matthews – Secretary/Treasurer. Shortly thereafter the meeting location changed to the El Gallo restaurant in Austin.
IEEE PES Central Texas Chapter officers from L-R: Steve Kanetzky, P.E.; C. Walter May, Jr., P.E.; Thad Henry; Forrest Arnold, P.E.; Ron Brown; Roy Matthews, P.E.; and James Mercier, P.E. (Photo credit: Construction News, Austin TX – see 2002 article below, page 7)
Article Construction News 2002 Page 7
Article Construction News 2003 page 4
1970-2001
The Central Texas Chapter of IEEE PES served both Austin and San Antonio, meeting in New Braunfels, halfway between the two cities. Attendance had declined to the point where meetings weren’t scheduled, perhaps because of the distance members from the two cities had to travel.
1970
IEEE creates Societies, with a President, as opposed to a Chair, as the unit leader, and the Power Group was transformed into IEEE Power Engineering Society.
1964
The earliest records available show that the inaugural IEEE Power Group Chapters were in Central Texas (San Antonio), Dallas and Houston (July 1, 1964).
The IEEE Industry Application Society lists the Austin IAS Chapter as its oldest chapter – formed on February 12, 1964, shortly after the formation of IEEE.
See pages 45-46 here: IAS_50th_Anniversary_History_Book