Dear Northern Virginia Section Members,

On behalf of the Northern Virginia Section, we are pleased to invite you to join us in celebrating IEEE Day.

The occasion will begin with a complimentary breakfast, offering members an opportunity to gather and connect before the program. Following breakfast, we are honored to present a special talk by Russell Harrison, IEEE-USA Managing Director and a member of the Northern Virginia Section. Mr. Harrison will lead an open discussion on engineering public policy, examining how the foremost challenges of our time—including AI, cybersecurity, energy, data centers, and privacy—increasingly demand technical expertise to address. His remarks will offer valuable perspective on public policy, Congress, and the essential role engineers play in informing both.

The program will conclude with a networking session, providing members the opportunity to engage with colleagues, exchange ideas, and strengthen professional connections within our Section.

Event Overview:

• 9:30 am: Breakfast
• 10:00 am: Special talk by Russell Harrison, IEEE-USA Managing Director, on Engineering Public Policy (see abstract below)
• 11:00 am: Networking session with fellow members

We encourage you to attend to gain insight into the policy issues shaping our profession, hear from a distinguished national leader within our Section, and engage with fellow engineers and innovators.

Talk Abstract:

It seems that more and more public policy challenges confronting our nation touch on technology and innovation. AI, cybersecurity, energy, data centers, privacy—all present the public and our government with challenges, and all require technical knowledge to understand.

In celebration of IEEE Day, please join IEEE-USA Managing Director (and Northern Virginia Section Member) Russell Harrison for a special talk on engineering public policy. This open discussion will explore the intersection of public policy and Congress, and the vital role engineers play in shaping both.

Speaker's Bio:

Russell Harrison serves as Managing Director of the IEEE-USA, the American component of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and Director of Global Policy for IEEE. Russell has over 20 years of experience representing America’s technology community to the United States government on behalf of IEEE. His global team of policy experts works to help policy makers enact technically sound laws and regulations while encouraging innovation and societal improvement. Beyond public policy, IEEE-USA specializes in innovative collaborations within America’s technology community by breaking down barriers between institutions and industries.

Russell has a Bachelors degree from Allegheny College and a Masters in Public Management, with a concentration on Asia trade policy, from the University of Maryland.