RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, Jan. 22, 2015 -- The International Society of Automation (ISA) has officially appointed Rick Roop as its 2015 president. Roop will work with Society leaders and staff to increase awareness of the value and relevance of the ISA brand and build on the company's proven range of capabilities and resources for automation professionals, which includes standards development, education, training, certification, certificate programs, publications, and technical symposia and conferences.
Roop brings a distinguished track record as a financial management executive, instrument and electrical engineer and power plant manager, as well as three decades of ISA membership and involvement to his new role as Society president. In 2012, Roop served as vice president, senior portfolio manager and owner of Donaldson Capital Management, an Evansville, Ind.-based SEC-registered investment advisory firm with $1 billion in assets under management.
"As we move into 2015, ISA will continue to work toward achieving its strategic goals and to strengthen its global brand recognition," said Roop. "Adding to our momentum in the new year and beyond is our new, wholly-owned subsidiary, Automation.com. As we have learned throughout our history, the key to success is getting the 'big things' right, innovating accordingly and sharpening our organizational and operational focus."
Shortly after joining ISA in 1983, Roop became actively involved in the Society. In 1984, he established the ISA Evansville Section, serving as its president as well as show chair, and section delegate and secretary. In 1986, he started the ISA Terre Haute (Wabash Valley) Section, serving as its president and in other key leadership positions.
Over the years, he has served: as district vice president and chairman of the Council of District Vice Presidents; as a Power Industry Division (POWID) board member; and in a wide range of society-level leadership positions, most notably as chairman of the Finance Committee (2009-2013) and chairman of the Investment Committee (2003-2013).
After earning a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering technology from Murray State University in 1980, Roop accepted a position as a senior instrumentation engineer at Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Company (now Vectren). He then joined Hoosier Energy, REC, first serving as an instrument and electrical engineer at the company from 1986 to 1995, and later serving as general manager at the company's Frank E. Ratts Generating Station from 1995 to 2001.
He launched his career as a financial management executive in 2001, assuming dual positions as director of research & portfolio manager at Donaldson Capital Management. He became vice president and senior portfolio manager at the firm in 2006, before also becoming owner in 2012. In addition to his bachelor's degree, Roop earned a master of business administration (MBA) degree with an emphasis in finance from Indiana State University in 1994.
See also:
"ISA now accepting applications for 2015 educational scholarships"
"2011: ISA welcomes new president"
About ISA
Founded in 1945, the International Society of Automation (www.isa.org) is a global nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts conferences and exhibitions for automation professionals. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation. For more information, visit www.automationfederation.org.
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