Reelect Art Zygielbaum, KØAIZ, Midwest Division Director
Experience. Serving You. Strengthening ARRL.
Art Zygielbaum
KØAIZ
I’ve been an amateur radio operator since 1961, and over the decades, I’ve built a career as an engineer, scientist, manager, and executive at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and as a Research Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. All of that experience helps to inform my role as ARRL Midwest Division Director.
During my time on the ARRL Board, I’ve helped lead efforts to strengthen the Board, clarify and modernize governing documents and procedures, and bring people together to find solutions. I’ve continued to serve on civic and nonprofit boards in my retirement, looking for opportunities to put my experience to work.
I’m seeking reelection because there is still work to do. I want to keep listening to—and working with—Midwest Division members to help ARRL become a stronger organization for the amateur radio operators it serves, while assuring a sustainable future for amateur radio.
What I Want to Accomplish Next
My efforts have helped Directors and Director candidates better understand their responsibilities and authority under Connecticut Non-profit Corporate Statutes, ARRL Governing Documents, and commonly accepted board practice. With clearer roles, responsibilities, and stronger governing in place, I’ve helped create an environment where the ARRL Board is better equipped to focus on the major issues facing ARRL and provide thoughtful direction for the organization.
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ARRL membership should provide clear, practical value. I want to improve existing services, expand digital resources, make better use of new technology and AI, and make sure all members know what is available to them.
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ARRL needs the financial strength to serve members well for years to come. I believe we need to find new revenue sources, make better use of existing assets, and hold programs accountable for the value they provide.
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Our frequency bands are essential to everything amateur radio makes possible. I want ARRL to maintain the technical, legal, and analytical expertise needed to protect our spectrum at the national and international levels.
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Members should know what ARRL is doing, and ARRL should know what members are thinking. I want to strengthen communication in both directions through clearer reporting, better outreach, and more opportunities for members to share their concerns and ideas.
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The average age of amateur radio operators continues to rise, making it increasingly important to bring younger people into the hobby. The keys to engaging new people include understanding the interests of younger generations and how those interests can be enhanced through amateur radio and clubs that sustain us during our early amateur careers.
A Record of
Getting Things Done
During my tenure as an ARRL Director, I served on seven committees, including being elected by the Board of Directors to the Executive Committee and the ARRL Foundation Board. I authored more than 15 substantive motions, all passed by the board, that covered election modernization, governance reform, ethics and due process, financial accountability, IT oversight, field organization effectiveness, technical/public-service recognition and greater organizational transparency and consistency.
Election Reform
In 2021, I introduced a motion directing ARRL to investigate electronic balloting. A year later, as head of the Ethics and Elections Committee, I worked with staff and other board members to implement online elections. I also introduced a motion to create an election review committee to consolidate election rules and procedures into a single document. This resulted in rewriting Bylaw 18 to better clarify election rules, and a new “Election Rules and Procedures” document consolidating multiple existing documents. That work was completed last year.
Strengthen ARRL Technology
Following the ransomware attack suffered by ARRL, I introduced a motion establishing the Information Technology Advisory Committee to bring greater technical expertise and insight to ARRL information systems. I am now a member of that committee.
Governance and Accountability
I introduced motions to strengthen ARRL’s ethics procedures and record-keeping, helping improve ethical standards, due process, and accountability as well as to clarify the relationships among Directors, Vice Directors, and Section Managers. All were passed by the Board. I also am working to modernize the Director Workbook to aid in documenting Board processes.
HAM Radio Can Save Lives.
I’ve seen firsthand how important amateur radio can be when other forms of communication aren’t available. In the middle of Utah, where there was no cell service, I used my HF amateur radio to connect to hams 1,000 miles away who were able to call the Utah State Patrol to come to the aid of an accident victim.
I’ve also provided communications during emergencies like hurricanes and earthquakes, when landlines and cell service were unavailable. Experiences like these are part of why I’ve stayed involved in amateur radio for more than six decades. When everything else goes down, amateur radio can still connect people to the help they need.
Most importantly, amateur radio gives people a way to turn curiosity into skill, skill into service, and shared interests into lasting relationships.
Hear from Art: Midwest Division Town Hall
Get In Contact.
I want to hear what’s working, what isn’t, and what you want ARRL to do better.