ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, has appointed James Millsap, WB4NWS, of Acworth, Georgia to the position of ARRL Southeastern Division Vice Director, effective August 1, 2012. Current Vice Director Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, has resigned because she has accepted a job outside of the Division. Millsap’s appointment runs until noon January 1, 2014.

Craigie commented: “Although I will miss Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM, at ARRL Board meetings, I am extremely pleased that she received an excellent job offer right out of college. In fact, the whole ARRL Board of Directors is proud of her success in taking the first step towards her professional career. I know she will continue to contribute to Amateur Radio in the future, because that’s the kind of person she is.

“It’s my pleasure to appoint Jim Millsap, WB4NWS, to complete the present term as Vice Director of the Southeastern Division. We are fortunate that Jim is able to step forward and join Director Greg Sarratt, W4OZK, on the Division’s leadership team. His background in the ARRL Field Organization will be an asset to the Board, and I appreciate his willingness to accept this opportunity to serve his fellow members of the ARRL.”

Hartlage sent the following message to ARRL members in the Southeastern Division:

“While I am incredibly excited about my new career and my future, it has not come without cost. I am sad to report that because of my move outside of my division, I am no longer eligible to serve as Southeastern Division Vice Director.

“I assure you that this decision has not been an easy one; in fact, it has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make. I thought long and hard about it, but in the end, I had to look at the big picture and choose the path that puts me in a position to pursue my future goals, both personal and professional. It has been my pleasure serving as your Vice Director. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting each of you at hamfests, attending club meetings, and helping to represent you to the ARRL Board. I want to express my deep and sincere appreciation to each one of you for your support over the past year and a half. Serving you and representing the Southeastern Division on the ARRL Board has been one of the most humbling and gratifying experiences of my life. I will miss you all.

“However, that being said, I also want to make it clear that while I will no longer be a member of the Southeastern Division or a Board member, I plan to remain involved in ham radio and to continue serving the Amateur Radio community. I will continue to be an active member of the Youth in the Second Century Committee, will continue to help the ARRL staff and Board in any way possible, and look forward to becoming an active member of the Roanoke Division.”

Sarratt commented: “It has been a pleasure working with Andrea. Her youth, energy and experience proved to be great assets to the Board, and she has been a very capable ARRL Vice Director.” He continued: “I have heard good things about Jim, WB4NWS, for years. I have met him at several hamfest and Field Day sites over the years and I am looking forward to working with him. I believe that Jim will be a talented, qualified and capable ARRL Vice Director.

“Jim Millsap’s Amateur Radio experience began at the young age of 12, operating 6 meter AM from Atlanta. Jim has been instrumental in bringing new hams into the hobby from 1980 to now. He has served as ARRL Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Cherokee County Amateur Radio Emergency Service since 2002, was appointed ARRL Emergency Coordinator in 2010, and has been the ARRL District Emergency Coordinator for Metro Atlanta District since 2011. Jim also serves as a VE for testing and is the Georgia Net Manager for the weekly Digital PSK-31 net. He was selected Georgia’s “Ham Operator of The Year” by his peers for his volunteer work in 2010 for Georgia ARES.

“Jim enjoys bringing new hams, both young and ‘seasoned’ into the hobby. Jim is active in working HF contests, voice and digital, weekly nets, is a VHF/UHF simplex enthusiast, and enjoys building homebrew antennas. He is active in supporting annual Field Day and Simulated Emergency Tests and strongly believes in building quality relationships with fellow hams and public safety organizations.

“Jim has a proven track record as a leader, mentor and instructor with an extensive background in the field of radio and telecommunications and specialized experience in disaster communications and recovery in support of state, regional and local emergency management agencies.

“Jim works with the Lafayette Group as an instructor for their Department of Homeland Security-Office of Emergency Communication/ICTAP sponsored COMT and Auxiliary Communications training classes for state and local public safety personnel. Jim previously worked for BellSouth for 29 years, progressing through the ranks as a Field Service Technician, Regional Manager and Network Engineer. During the past 10 years, Jim owned and operated his own radio/telecommunications consulting company and served as a General Manager for the DISH Network’s Southeast Region."

Sarratt concluded: “Please join me in congratulating Andrea on her exciting new career and life opportunities and in welcoming Jim to continued ARRL service as ARRL Southeastern Division Vice Director.”