Thomas G. Habetler (S’82-M’83-S’85-M’89-SM’92-F’02) received the B.S.E.E. degree in 1981 and the M.S. degree in 1984, both in electrical engineering, from Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in 1989.

From 1983-1985 Habetler was employed by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors as a Project Engineer. In 1985 he was awarded the General Motors Fellowship to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is currently a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Habetler's research interests are in electric machine protection, condition monitoring, and drives. He has published over 175 technical papers in the field and is a regular consultant to industry in the field of condition-based diagnostics for electrical systems. Habetler was a visiting researcher at Rockwell Automation during the summer of 1998, and at the Eaton Corp. Innovation Center during the summers of 1999, 2000, and 2001.

(S’83-M’83-S’85-M’89-SM’92-F’02)

OFFICE:
Board of Directors, Division II Delegate/Director, 2007-08

COMMITTEES/BOARDS:
IEEE Technical Co-Sponsorship Ad Hoc Committee, 2009 
TAB Society Review Committee, 2009 
IEEE Presentation and Policy Committee, 2009 
TAB Membership AdHoc Committee, Chair, 2008 
MGA Member Engagement and Life Cycle Committee, 2008-09 
Technical Activities Board, 2007-08, 2001-02

SOCIETIES:
Power Electronics Society: Long-Range Planning Committee, Chair, 2004-06; Vice-President, 1999-2000; President, 2001-02
IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference (PESC), Conference Steering Committee, Chair, 1998-2009; Publications Committee, Chair, 1997-99; AdCom Member-at-Large, 1996-99; Secretary, 1994-95; Educational Activities Committee, 1995-97; Membership and Publicity Committee, Chair, 1990-93. 
Industry Applications Society: Industrial Power Converter Committee, Chair, 2000-01; Industrial Power Converter Committee, Vice Chair, 1998-99; Electric Machines Committee, 1993-2005; Industrial Drives Committee, 1990-2005.

CHAPTER:
Power Electronics Society Atlanta Chapter:Chair, 1998-99; Secretary, 2004-05. 

CONFERENCES:
2010 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition (ECCE), General Chair, 2009. 
IEEE Energy 2030 Conference, General Co-Chair, 2008. 
The Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC), Finance Chair, 2005. 
IEEE International Symposium on Diagnostics for Electric Machines, Power Electronics and Drives (SDEMPED): General Chair, 2003; Technical Program Committee, Co-Chair, 1997. 
IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference (PESC): Steering Committee Chair, 1999-2000; Publicity Committee Chair, 1999, 1997; Technical Program Chair, 1995; Technical Program Committee, 1990-99. 
Industry Applications Society Annual Meeting, Industrial Power Converter Committee, Technical Program Chair, 1998-99. 
IEEE Industry Applications Society Workshop, “Future of Electronic Power Processing and Conversion”, Technical Program Committee Co-Chair, 1998, 1994, 1991. 
IEEE International Conference on Harmonics in Power Systems (ICHPS), Treasurer, 1992, 1990.

AWARDS:
IEEE Fellow, 2002. 
Four IAS Committee Prize Paper Awards.

Chair, TA BAdHoc Committee on Society Membership. This committee is responsible for addressing the issue of declining society membership. This has involved studies of society value propositions, and is formulating new products and services to attract members to Societies.

Served instrumental role in the proposed restructuring of Technical Co-Sponsorship of Conferences.

Member, MGA Member Engagement and Life Cycle Committee, 2008-2009. As the first TAB rep to this committee, I feel I have brought the interests of TAB to bear on member development and engagement.

Heavily involved in inter-society cooperation for a number of years between PELS, IAS, PES and IES. We now have several large joint conferences, many joint chapters, joint memberships, joint awards and other cooperative activities.

Technical Activities represents not just an important economic engine for the IEEE, but more importantly, the technical face of the IEEE to our members and to society as a whole.  TAB is therefore much more than a “review and publish” organization. TAB, through its societies and chapters plays a central and key role in “fostering technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.” 

I feel that I am well qualified to lead Technical Activities through its upcoming opportunities and challenges. Throughout my career in industry, academia and IEEE, I have always tried to build consensus through efficient and data-driven dialogue and teamwork.  I am a firm believer that well-run meetings result in well-made decisions. Organized and efficient meeting leadership is crucial to maximizing TAB effectiveness. 

There are several important issues which TAB must address in the coming years. One of these is the result of changes from content-based to use-based algorithms in the distribution of publishing income among the societies. Secondly, we must continue to address the role and importance of industry in our society activities.  Finally, the issue of society membership must remain a focus for TAB initiatives. I intend to continue my efforts in this arena.