At the suggestion of an ARRL member named Lor Kutchins W3QA, and on the nomination of Director Sarratt, the Executive Committee has voted to permit me to confer the ARRL President's Award on Victor D. Poor W5SMM, of Melbourne, Florida. I asked the EC to vote on this proposal and am pleased that they unanimously voted aye. Here is the information about Vic supplied by W3QA, which I shared with Greg and the EC: =============== Victor D. Poor, W5SMM, deserves special lifetime recognition for his contributions to amateur radio, not to mention for huge contributions to mankind for his pivotal role in the race to develop the first modern microprocessor. An oral history of his professional career is published at the Computer History Museum at http://www.computerhistory,org/collections/accessory/102658337. His role in the development of the first microprocessor is described in a BusinessWeek article at http://www.winlink.org/node/28. His contributions to the modern cell phone are just as significant. Vic has been retired for many years from productive and significant careers with Stromberg-Carlson, Raytheon, Datapoint, AirNet, and Globe Wireless. His significant amateur radio contribution was to develop Winlink 2000, and its precursors Aplink, and Winlink Classic, software that is still used by the ARRL's NTS. The history of the Winlink global radio email system is at http://www.winlink.org/node/1. Since 9/11, Vic designed the latest revisions of the Winlink system architecture to suit emergency communications demands for redundancy, reliability, and lately, for independence from the internet infrastructure for MARS and amateur radio users serving government agencies. Vic is the father, founder, principal designer and programmer of the latest Winlink software, and mentor and leader for all who contribute on the Winlink Development Team. Now in his advanced 80s, Vic is retiring from active work and has handed the reins over to others to carry on his work. ================ I told Vic on the telephone that he is to receive the award, and he expressed his gratitude to the League. This is not his first recognition by the ARRL. Years ago, Ed Handy presented to him an ARRL Handbook signed by most of the HQ Staff, marking his help to the organization. I don't know what year that happened, but it was a while ago. Well before my time. The plaque is in process, and I will see that it is presented to Vic at an appropriate time and place. The President's Award is a rarity. I believe the last one was given to Mary Ann Crider WA3HUP, whom you know of if you have done much DXing. 73 - Kay N3KN