Welcome

This site presents my biography and the main ideas as Regional Director Elect candidate for Region 9 - Latin America.

Professional background

Electronic Engineer - Universidad de Buenos Aires (1971 )

My family and other activities

66 years and happily married with Gladys Mirta Caunedo
Son: Fernando Javier married with Jimena ;
Grandchildren: Delfina (9 years) and Martín (6 years)

I love to play tennis and guitar. Wrote a few poems.

Few more things

Advisor to the Secretary of Science and Technology (1989 - 1995) and Congress
Advisor to the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATA)
President of the IT Export Association and board member of several professional and trade associations.
Expert for United Nations (UNDP and UNIDO)

My professional career

I am the President of the INSTITUTO DE EMPRENDIMIENTOS CIENTIFICOS Y TECNOLOGICOS - IECyT, a not for profit organization (NGO) devoted to the creation and growth of technology based companies. At IECyT we are focused on stimulating Engineers, Faculty, Researchers and Students to consider starting their own company, transforming innovative ideas into businesses. We train and coach on the development of business opportunities, preparation of Business Plans, presentations to Investors and the design and planning of a new enterprise.
In 1969, two partners and myself founded CONORPE SA. We were pioneers in bringing US Software to Latin America. We were the first distributor of Computer Associates and developed an operation with more than 60 people,that in 1994 became CA of Argentina. In 1994 we spinned off NETSYSTEM SA, a System Integrator that became the first Gold and Platinum Partner for NOVELL Inc. I was the President of CONORPE and NETSYSTEM.
In 1999, PSINet Inc bought NETSYSTEM SA and I became the General Manager for the Southern Cone (Argentina,Chile and Uruguay), later I was appointed as Vicepresident Latin America for Infrastructure and Strategic Alliances and in 2001 became VP L America for Sales and Marketing.
Previously I worked for Olivetti for 5 years with management responsibilities on Technical, Sales and Marketing activities, living in Brazil and Italy for short periods.
I started at age 16 as a full time technician in Transradio Intenacional and moved in 1959 to the Government Post Office with management positions in new technology communications strategy.

In Academia

Fellow of the Institute for Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ILE) of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta - USA).
Since 2006, Coordinator of the Center for Entrepreneurship at the Universidad Tecnologica Nacional - Facultad Regional Buenos Aires, and Coordinator of the postgraduate " Generating Innovative Enterprises "
Previously,Director of Global Team Executive MBA at Instituto Tecnologico de Buenos Aires.
Postgraduate faculty at the University of Buenos Aires (School of Economics)
For 22 years Dean of Information Systems Department at the John F. Kennedy University
Researcher and Executive in residence at Universidad de San Andres.

IEEE accomplishments

Although I started my relation with IEEE in 1958 as a Student member (16 years old), of the Institute of Radio Engineers – IRE, most of my volunteer activities were for the last 25 years. During that period I became the Chairman of the Argentine Section and co-founder and president of the Computer Society and Engineering Management Chapters, and other board responsibilities in the mentioned organizations. Also a member of the Communications Society and the Social Implications of Technology Society.-

In 1988 I was the Chairman of Latincon’88, the regional event at that time with Marvin Minsky (MIT) and Ray Dolby as keynote speakers with the participation of IEEE Students from 14 Latin American countries.

At Region 9 (Latin America), I became the first Strategic Planning Director (1984-1985) and Secretary-Treasurer during Hugo Fernandez Verstegen Directorship (1994-1995).
Member and referee at the Industry Advisory Board of IEEE Software Magazine for 12 years (1992-2004), participating in the International Annual Meetings and organizing one of them in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Awarded with the Third Millennium Medal for “Outstanding achievements and contributions” (2000) and several Certificates of recognition for services to IEEE.

Candidate statement

It is my privilege to be nominated for Regional Director Elect (2008 – 2009) for Latin America. For more than 25 years I was very fortunate to be part of the leadership in the Argentine Section and its Chapters, at Regional level as Secretary and Treasurer, be on the Advisory Board of IEEE Software Magazine, and organize Latin American IEEE Latincon’88.-
These are the main ideas and actions I would like to present to my fellow IEEE members:

More and better services to Region 9 members:
Professional updating
Promote new career opportunities
Increase Industry oriented Seminars
More activities based on an increased network of Lecturers
Support more Student activities
Grow membership:
More direct and institutional advertising
Price incentives in IEEE activities
More Workshops and Seminars on new topics
New technology public awareness via press releases
Interaction with Society:
Social benefits of Technology
Environment protection
Enterprise social responsibility
Better education of Science and Technology
More Electro technology and IT Students