Thank you for visiting my website. My name is David Thomas KM4NYI of Knoxville, TN and I am running for the position of ARRL Delta Division Director.
It has been my privilege to serve as the Tennessee Section Manager since 2020. As a life-long “radio and electronics guy”, amateur radio is a big part of my life. While I enjoy a long list of aspects within the hobby, I’m most at home rag chewing on the air, checking into nets, and restoring vintage radios. I’m currently serving my third term as ARRL Tennessee Section Manager. In addition, I serve as the Trustee for the Radio Amateur Club of Knoxville and remain active in local club activities.
As Section Manager, it has been a distinct honor to have gotten to know so many amateur radio operators from Tennessee and throughout the Delta Division. In that time, I have listened to many of you share concerns about some of the league’s actions in the last few years and how there is a feeling that their voices are being overlooked. Being a Division Director requires a fiduciary responsibility to the league and a duty of care, loyalty, and obedience to the organization….however….I believe a director also has a duty to sincerely listen to the members in their respective divisions and represent their desires as well. If elected your Director, I would consider it my privilege and duty to act as a conduit to bring the ideas, wishes, and concerns of Delta members to the Board of Directors.
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TRANSPARENCY: In any organization, secrecy and concealment at the leadership level can breed mistrust of its administration. I promise to always strive to act with transparency. Part of this commitment means that I will make clear with the members of the Delta Division how I vote on any matter not bound by confidentiality guidelines and requirements. I believe league members deserve no less.
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TERM LIMITS: I firmly believe in term limits for Division Directors. If the league is to progress into the future, we need fresh, modern perspectives. Limiting the consecutive terms a director can serve prevents the entrenchment that makes it hard for new folks to be elected, as well as helping keep board members focused on policy instead of re-election.
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CHANGE LEADERSHIP: I believe the league must evolve while honoring the traditions that made amateur radio meaningful for generations. Change leadership means listening to the members first, identifying ideas that work, and bringing together consensus around practical solutions.
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GROWTH: Increasing ARRL membership must be a priority. The future of the league depends not only on welcoming new amateurs into the hobby, but by making ARRL membership more valuable to our current members in clear, practical, and respectful ways. A key part of growth is building trust between league leadership and membership; this demands we have Directors who actively engage with the members and represent them; I promise to do my best to be that kind of Director.
The league is strongest when members feel informed, represented, and invited to help shape its future. I’m running for Delta Division Director with a strong commitment to transparency, term limits, thoughtful change leadership, and growing the ARRL for the next generation of Amateur Radio operators.
If you are a member of the Delta Division and would like to share your thoughts with me, I would love to hear from you! You can e-mail me at km4nyi@arrl.net
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ELECTION TIMELINE:
September 10: Deadline to be an ARRL member eligible to vote
October 19: Voting postcards are mailed to eligible members
October 26: Online voting begins and email sent to eligible members
November 20: Deadline to vote