DAVID ALAN KOEHLER(Nominated by IEEE Board of Directors)
Director of Oil Lab Analysis (Former)
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
ieee.org/pe26/koehler
Meet David Koehler by watching a brief video.
David has served in every Geographic Unit level within IEEE. Starting out as a Section Treasurer and ultimately being the Vice President for Member and Geographic Activities (MGA) in 2022.
He has served on three of IEEE’s six Major Boards, along with the Board of Directors three different years.
David has Chaired, Co-Chaired, or been a member of numerous IEEE Board of Directors Ad Hoc Committees.
He received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Indiana University and obtained an M.B.A. David works in the power and energy industry and has close to thirty years of experience in the testing of insulating liquids and management of analytical laboratories. He has provided numerous technical presentations and published technical articles within the power industry.
David is a proud and active member of our Women In Engineering (WIE) affinity group. He is also a member of our honor society: IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN).
Statement
If elected as President, I plan to focus on the following items:
Expand our pre-university STEM outreach globally. We must grow the potential audience of our future customers and members. Students tend to know their area of academic focus by the time they enroll at a university. IEEE must continue to spread knowledge about the incredible benefits of STEM to pre-university students globally.
Student to Young Professional engagement and retention. IEEE currently has an approximate 35% retention rate for student members as they transition to young professionals. We need to make sure that our products, services, and messaging is tailored to each of these different member segments. I would also plan on investing in our student branches globally to make sure that they have the products and services necessary to properly engage our student members.
Enhance our brand messaging. Most people still think that IEEE is focused on academia and geared towards electrical engineering. We need to further collaborate with industry and make sure that all technologists globally know that IEEE can be their professional home. We need to expand our volunteer benefit and discount programs worldwide. Discounts offered to our members need to be globally focused, not US focused.
One IEEE. Everyone has a role to play in our core mission of advancing technology for humanity. We need to improve volunteer and staff collaboration across our various Organizational Units and Committees, while providing the necessary training and resources for our volunteers to be successful.
IEEE
Accomplishments and Activities
(A’07-M’07-SM’13)
(A’07-M’07-SM’13)
As 2022 VP MGA, we were able to reach agreement on the first IEEE Regional Realignment since 1981. In detail, the Region Realignment resulted in:
- The split of Region 10 into two regions: Region 10 – North Asia and Region 11 – South Asia and Pacific
- The approval of the concept of Zones and Zone Representatives
- The merger of Regions 1 and 2: Region 2 – Eastern and Northeastern U.S.
- Three IEEE Bylaw changes and significant changes to the MGA Operations Manual
As 2022 VP MGA, I championed and led the implementation of the new vTools Engage platform. This platform enables volunteers to engage, track, retain members, convert non-members to members, and provides volunteers with the information they need to offer the best engagement possible.
As Past VP MGA, I reinstated MGA Board member training in December 2023.
I Co-Chaired the IEEE Board of Directors Ad Hoc Committee on the Future of Engagement in 2022 with significant impact that included four motions that were approved by the IEEE Board of Directors: focused on improved tracking of conference attendees, streamlining practices of customer and member interactions with IEEE and its volunteers, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
In 2024, I Chaired the IEEE Board of Directors Ad Hoc Committee on Leadership
Continuity and Efficiency, which resulted in reestablishing an IEEE Board Level Executive Committee.
In 2024, I received the MGA Larry K. Wilson Transnational Award.
As Region 4 Director, I focused on supporting the volunteers, improving communications, and member engagement. I established the Region 4 Industry Engagement Committee, and added twelve new Region awards. I also introduced extensive annual volunteer training to onboard new volunteers and added additional new volunteer roles.
JILL I. GOSTIN (Nominated by IEEE Board of Directors)
Retired as Principal Research Scientist
Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory
Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
ieee.org/pe26/gostin
Meet Jill Gostin by watching a brief video.
Jill Gostin retired in 2025 as a Principal Research Scientist at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), and the Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test Lead in her Division. Her work focused on sensor systems and software. Her publications, service and technical awards, large program management, and leadership of groups including industry, government, and academia have contributed to her career success. She has also served IEEE extensively, including as 2023 IEEE Vice President, Member and Geographic Activities, chairing the MGA Board. She served three years on the IEEE Board of Directors, and in multiple IEEE roles including Board roles in two Societies and one technical Council. She has served or led multiple units and Committees across IEEE, including Local to Global roles. Her leadership has been recognized by being named 2016 Woman of the Year by Georgia Women in Technology and receiving the 2025 IEEE Women in Technology Leadership Award.
Statement
IEEE is known for its strong technical leadership, global network of dedicated volunteers, and broad membership spanning multiple fields—all working toward a shared mission of fostering technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. To maintain and build upon this strength, IEEE must continue and expand our efforts toward nurturing innovation, supporting emerging technologies, and guiding professionals through changes needed throughout their careers.
Today’s rapid advancements in technology require ongoing multidisciplinary learning, awareness of ethical implications, increased attention to security risks, and continual assessment of societal impacts. IEEE’s global reach, educational offerings, and community of experts uniquely position us to prepare members for the future.
Key priorities for success:
- Enhance the member experience by strengthening volunteer support and delivering global-scale activities with meaningful local engagement.
- Expand support across the full career lifecycle—from students to retirees—through customized learning pathways, tailored educational resources, and enhanced professional development opportunities.
- Advance multidisciplinary innovation and collaboration by supporting broad-impact technical projects, competitions, and initiatives.
- Lead responsibly by championing ethical excellence and ensuring IEEE remains the trusted voice in global standards and technology policy.
- Broaden outreach to raise public awareness of the impacts of engineering and technology worldwide.
IEEE
Accomplishments and Activities
(M’89-M’07-SM’07)
(M’89-M’07-SM’07)
IEEE LEADERSHIP ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
IEEE Vice President, MGA: Served IEEE Board as a Corporate Officer and MGA spokesperson. Collaborated across IEEE to align goals and share opportunities. Worked to achieve strategic goals. Provided Board members with better awareness of MGA’s resources and processes.
MGA Board Chair: Inspired 1,000+ volunteers as Sections Congress 2023 plenary speaker. Founded MGA Committee Series to improve organizational effectiveness. Focused on member needs. Continued rebuilding to full post-COVID activities.
IEEE Region 3 Director: Reacted quickly, successfully leading volunteers in continuing member support through two years of COVID. Expanded Region-wide virtual events. Realigned Areas, improving support of struggling Sections.
Co-Chair, Joint MGA/TAB Ad Hoc on Improving Chapter Support: Improved support of Chapter volunteers through Webinar Series, expanded training materials, and deeper understanding of Chapter needs. Led creation of the MGA Chapter Operations Support Committee, with TAB representation.
PAST/CURRENT ACTIVITIES:
Preparing for IEEE’s future as Chair of Engagement/Membership subgroup of IEEE in 2050, and member of One IEEE Education Strategy for Empowering Technical Innovation.
Improving the Conduct Review process as Chair of IEEE Ad Hoc on Conduct Review Committee’s Delegated Responsibilities.
Focused on members, chapters, publications, and conferences in roles including Board of Governors member of Computer Society and Aerospace and Electronics Systems Society, and as ExCom and AdCom member and VP-Finance of Sensors Council.
Supported Humanitarian Outreach activities through multiple roles on IEEE MOVE.
Impacted members, volunteers, infrastructure, and efficiencies through roles and Committee service ranging from Chapter, Section, and Region levels through MGA, TA, HKN, IEEE-USA, PSPB, and IEEE.
Selected Committee Service:
- IEEE Governance, Nominations & Appointments (N&A), Employee Benefits and Compensation (Vice-Chair), IEEE in 2050 (Subgroup Lead), multiple Ad Hoc Committees
- MGA Operations (Chair), Strategic Planning (Chair), N&A (Chair, Vice-Chair), FinCom, Training, GeoUnit Operations Support
- TAB FinCom, Awards and Recognitions, TA Representative to MGA Board