Making his inaugural ARRL National Convention appearance as ARRL President, Rick Roderick, K5UR, said he’s looking forward to meeting many League members in person in Orlando this week. The 2016 ARRL National Convention, February 12-14, is hosted by the Orlando HamCation®, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.

“We are embarking on a new era at ARRL as the second century begins,” President Roderick said. “I’m thrilled to be part of these exciting times for Amateur Radio.”

Over his term, President Roderick said, his emphasis will be on implementing the 5 year Strategic Plan that the ARRL Board of Directors adopted at its annual meeting in mid-January. Roderick said the plan “will help grow and advance Amateur Radio, and make the League stronger and more responsive to our members.”

He also said he’ll put forth a major effort to secure passage of the Amateur Radio Parity Act as well as to urge improved enforcement by the FCC.

President Roderick, 63, is the ARRL’s 16th president, succeeding Kay Craigie, N3KN, who served for three terms as the League’s president. An ARRL Life Member, he has been a radio amateur for 48 years and lives in Little Rock, Arkansas.

President Roderick sat on the ARRL Board of Directors for 24 years, and he served as a member and chairman of the DX Advisory Committee. He is an enthusiastic DXer with many operating awards to his credit.

President Roderick holds bachelor’s, master’s, and JD degrees from the University of Arkansas and is a managing partner in a law firm.

A complete ARRL National Convention program guide is available.