Guest Blog by Rick Bush - I've been clubbing in Orlando.
Robert is was in my foursome playing in the first annual IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Golf Outing here at the Shingle Creek Golf Course in Orlando. (Photo - Robert Sheffield, Mark O'Conner, Mike Beehler, & Rick - still having fun after an ugly round of golf)
Along with Robert (who hits it long in many directions) I played with Mike Beehler, Vice President with Burns & McDonnell and Mark O'Conner , Sales Manager with Trimble Energy Solutions. I didn't swing the club that well and our foursome didn't put up anywhere near the lowest score. But at the end of the day we made new friends and had a great time on a beautiful day.
Robert was the only student I met that was golfing. Most of the golfers are here to support the “Roberts” who will determine the future of IEEE and the future of our T&D Industry. Judging by comments from fellow golfers, this inaugural event will have legs. Expect to see a similar fund-raising event at the General Meeting coming up in San Diego.
At the luncheon, I chatted with the effervescent Wanda Reder (our very own former IEEE PES President) who has taken the lead to kick off the Scholarship program (of which this fund raiser is a small part). If I recall correctly, more than 100 scholarships have been awarded this year at some 50 colleges and universities who offer power programs.
Today wasn't my best day on the golf course. I hooked a few and shanked some more. And my partners had their “moments” too. But the reason for our being here, the Scholarship Plus Initiative is a true “Hole-in-One” .
About the Author
Gene Wolf Blog
Technical Writer
Gene Wolf has been designing and building substations and other high technology facilities for over 32 years. He received his BSEE from Wichita State University. He received his MSEE from New Mexico State University. He is a registered professional engineer in the states of California and New Mexico. He started his career as a substation engineer for Kansas Gas and Electric, retired as the Principal Engineer of Stations for Public Service Company of New Mexico recently, and founded Lone Wolf Engineering, LLC an engineering consulting company.
Gene is widely recognized as a technical leader in the electric power industry. Gene is a fellow of the IEEE. He is the former Chairman of the IEEE PES T&D Committee. He has held the position of the Chairman of the HVDC & FACTS Subcommittee and membership in many T&D working groups. Gene is also active in renewable energy. He sponsored the formation of the “Integration of Renewable Energy into the Transmission & Distribution Grids” subcommittee and the “Intelligent Grid Transmission and Distribution” subcommittee within the Transmission and Distribution committee.