Ted Rappaport, N9NB - basically the father of 5G. Yes, he has clashed with the ARRL Board on occasion but he is actually very well respected including by the FCC commissioners and others. Ted founded the wireless research institute at NYU Tandon, which has completely transformed the profile of the university into a world-class research facility. When I was a student there, the ECE department played second fiddle to ChemE because of the research on polymers. But Ted turned that completely around and now NYU wireless is pushing a new frontier in 5G and beyond. And he's even reactivated the ham radio club.

Walter Cronkite (KB2GSD) would have been nice to profile if he were still alive. However my understanding is that ARRL has used him extensively in the past. But he may deserve an honorable mention.

Ria

We are continuing to plan a monthly column for 2023 to profile hams to are high profile in society or have accomplished something major outside of amateur radio. We have been collecting names but we’d like to hear from you.

Naturally Joe Taylor, K1JT leaps to mind as he has earned a Nobel Prize in radio astronomy.

We also have Dirk Basting, N4AN who developed the Excimer laser used in LASIK eye surgery today.

Even multi-billionaire Michael Bloomberg was influenced early in life by amateur radio and a love for science, leading to an electrical engineering degree, onto building Bloomberg LP.

https://www.npr.org/2012/04/06/150123935/new-york-citys-mayor-is-a-geek-at-heart

Please think about hams in your division that would meet this criteria. We’d like to interview them and bring the possibilities of a life influenced by radio communications and technology to light for both our members and for our teachers/youth.

Thanks

David