Dear IEEE Long Island Section members,

Welcome to 2026! This is my first address to you as Section Chair in 2026 for The Pulse, and I’m energized about the possibilities ahead for our community of engineers, innovators, and technology leaders. I had the pleasure of representing our Section as Chair and voting member at the IEEE R1/R2 Joint Training + Assembly Meeting in February in Covington, Kentucky. This gathering brought together section leaders from across Regions 1 & 2 for strategic planning, governance decisions, and leadership training. The insights gained— from succession planning to operational best practices—will directly support our goals this year. Special thanks to Charles Rubenstein, R1/R2 Chair, and Kirit Dixit, our Area Chair, for their guidance and support as we begin this year. It’s inspiring to see the collaborative spirit across regions, all united behind IEEE’s mission to advance technology for humanity.

I’m pleased to share that we’ve scheduled our first in-person Executive Committee for 2026 at the Hilton Farmingdale —a great opportunity to reconnect as a leadership team and set the tone for a dynamic year ahead with bold vision from all attendees. This was also attended by Charles Rubenstein and his guidance was valuable for our meeting.

This is an extraordinary time to be an IEEE member. Artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and cybersecurity are reshaping every industry, and Long Island is at the heart of this transformation. Our Section is uniquely positioned to be your gateway to these emerging technologies—through hands-on workshops, technical symposia, and direct connections to the professionals driving change.

In 2026, we’re launching our Technology Leadership Initiative: quarterly roundtables bringing you face-to-face with industry experts and government technology leaders from across the region. We’re also deepening our university partnerships to create more pathways for students entering the profession and expanding our signature conferences and seminars. LI Section has been participating in industry conferences like the NYC Cybersecurity Conference attended by LI Section Treasurer Sandy Mazzola, and we are driving collaboration across the region for more to come like IEEE LI RF/Microwave Symposium on April 22, 2026 (Sai/Sandy/Tony ). We are also going to integrate social media, drive online presence and make information more accessible across the LI Section.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional, an early-career engineer, young professional, or a student just beginning your journey, there’s a place for you here. Get involved and reach out. Attend an event. Volunteer with a chapter. Your participation is what makes our Section strong and helps drive IEEE mission. Reach out to me for any questions and looking forward to connecting with you.

Warm regards,
Udit Sharma
Chair, IEEE Long Island Section
chair@ieee.li
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uditsharma