The NSPE Board of Directors approved several new policies this morning in their metting which were presented to them by the eislatve and Governmental Affairs Committee (on which I serve). We had aproved the policies in previous meetings. Approved policies are on Engrgy Security, Nuclear Power, Geothermal Energy, and Natural Gas. In our meeting on Friday we, the committee, approved a position statement on Hydroelectric Power but it still nees review and approval by the Board. There are sever other polices currently in the committee which are being tweaked.
Had an absolutey wonderful day in Orlando at SeaWorld. Saw petty much all of the shows but did none o the rides save for the Sky Tower. The weather was not too hot, or at last there was plenty of shade. My favorite part: Shamu, of course!
Tomorrow we brave Epcot!
Dateline: NSPE Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL.
Today was election for NSPE and I was a candidate for Vice President. I did not win. I would love to have won the election, if I didn't want to win then why run, but I am not hurt, upset, angry, or irritated in the result and here is why.
First, Dan Wittliff, the other candidate for the position, is a great person and will be a great leader for NSPE. We may differ on a few issues but they are not major and he will serve NSPE well. Dan was not an opponent in the traditional sense, we were both merely running for the same office, so in no way do I feel beaten. In reality, we both were running for the position and did not know of each other until well into the process. This is a result of the way NSPE handles this contest.
Second, I was asked to run by others, specifically the Mississippi Engineering Society and I consider that to be a great honor. Because I did not wake up one morning and decide my life would be incomplete without this position I think it is a little easier to not win.
Third, I did not lose. I still get to be involved in NSPE and I get a life for at least another year.
Fourth, the encouragement I have received from the officers and delegates of NSPE to run next year has been amazing. I also had several people whom I respect greatly share how they voted with me and I appreciate their support.
Fifth, everyone, and I mean everyone, I spoke with mentioned how tough the choice was. I'd much rather lose a close contest than win one by a landslide. I did not get the final vote count but I believe it was close (at least that's the story I'm sticking with!)
Sixth, we seldom get what we want all the time. If you cannot handle the occasional loss, then you do not have the skills, backbone, and thick skin to be a leader.
Seventh, there is still work to do and there is always next year.
Eight, I received a lot of input, advice, and help from many friends as I prepared for this. I appreciate that help and support and it says much about the quality people I work with and call friends.
I wish Dan the best and have already told him I'm here to help.
"Unlikely Tutor Giving Military Afghan Advice", by Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times, 17 July 2010.
This is yet more evidence how Greg Mortenson and his book "Three Cups of Tea" is making an impact. I am impressed by the impact Mortenson is having on the military, and perhaps, vice versa. I am looking forward to his visit to Mississippi State in September and would love to follow up the visit with one from General Petraeus or Admiral Mullen.
I enjoyed Bill Bennett on C-SPAN. Wish his Morning in America Show was not so early in the morning.
Last week we completed Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (CWID) 2010. My last blog post on the US Joint Forces Command blog was posted here today. With luck, I'll pick up again next June for CWID 2011.
Another blog post at U.S. JFCOM posted this moring. This one dicusses some technologies developed for battlefield use but also have civilian applications.
Yesterday I posted this on the U.S. Joint Force Command blog as part of their CWID 2010 blogging. A few more posts are planned.
Today was media day at CWID and I toured some media representatives and then was on a conference call with JFCOM and reporters discussing CWID and my observations. I was not alone--I had my friends from the National Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps with me as well. It is a privilege to work with such professionals.
Over the next week I will be blogging some on my experiences at the Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (CWID) on the U.S. Joint Forces Command blog. The blog itself can be found at www.usjfcom.dodlive.mil and my first post, actually poste last Friday, can be found here.
Several others at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahdlgren will also be posting and there will also be posts from other sites.
