Goals for the AIChE

Now that AIChE has successfully been returned to sound financial health, it is time to chart a course for the future. As past chair of the Boston section (2004-05), I have experience with the development and implementation of successful growth strategies. If elected to the Board of Directors, I will apply my visioning, strategic planning and entrepreneurial experience to help revitalize the AIChE.

At my first Boston local section meeting, I was struck by the tremendous collective brainpower in the room, and imagined how powerful it would be if harnessed to solve world problems. Globally, there is increased awareness of environmental and energy related problems. The AIChE now has an unprecedented opportunity to help solve these issues.

To do this, the AIChE must become a leader in both policy creation and research in the fields of Energy, Sustainability, Materials and Biotechnology.

In addition, our members’ expertise spans a broad array of other important technologies. In order to develop solutions to energy and environmental problems, we need to encourage shared thinking among all members. This means building stronger collaborations between:

• Industry and academia
• Local sections
• Divisions and forums
• Young Professional Groups
• Individual members

Networking - making connections - is the number one reason many people join the AIChE. By improving the channels of communications between members and the various entities that make up AIChE - divisions, forums, local sections etc - we make it possible to focus our combined knowledge and abilities on solving societal problems, while improving one of our most important member benefits - the opportunity to connect with other members.

All of our members have something of value to add as we work together to help solve these critical world problems. By focusing our different operating sectors and individuals towards a common challenge, not only will we be able to make a significant contribution to the world, we also strengthen our connections to each other.

Benefits of this strategy to AIChE members

• Increased visibility of Chemical Engineering as a valuable profession
• The AIChE will have greater relevance to members and society
• Improved member-to-member networking
• Students will be drawn to the field of Chemical Engineering
• Membership will increase

For more information about my qualifications for Director, see Background and Experience as well as What People are Saying

For more information about the benefits of focusing on Energy and the Environment, see Q&A with Rob.