Since this is my last column in the newsletter, I would like to say to all of you that I have enjoyed the experience of being the Far West Regional Coordinator for the last two years. It was a challenge! I made the decision not to run again because of the changing nature of my job and believe that it is healthy for the region to have new ideas and directions.

I would like to congratulate Dr. Mike Sullivan and Ms. Elaine Mew on their election. I know their professionalism and dedication will benefit the region and move it ahead in these changing times.

When I look back on the past two years, I am impressed with the way the region has come together and become, in my opinion, one of the strongest, if not the strongest (I’m biased) region in the FLC. It is because of all of you that we have accomplished what we have done and will continue to do.

I would like to thank Dr. Mike Templeton, Ms. Mona Oge and the other dynamic individuals who provide support to the region. They have efficiently established a support function that is cost effective and responsive to the labs.

I’d like to highlight some our region’s accomplishments:

• A working outreach program was set up including the development of a regional contact database
• We advertised the region in Technology Business and referred opportunities to appropriate labs
• A regional exhibit was developed for use by any FW lab
• A working outreach program and resulting directory by state was developed to identify resources for labs
• The region was up and running on the FLC web page and an expanded regional web page is in progress
• The assessment of lab technologies is progressing with the use of the TOPS software tool
• Options for supplementing the regional support staff at no cost to the region should result in “free” help
• The region was represented at the Persons w/ Disabilities conference in March 97 and at the San Diego Regional Technology Alliance Workshop for “California Technology Investment Partnership Program”
• The Regional Coordinator gave 12 presentations describing the FLC and the region
• The Fall regional meeting in San Diego was extremely successful

The list goes on and on, but I wanted to give you some of the high points. I look forward to working with Mike and Elaine and participating as an active lab member. I wish each of you a successful, healthy and intellectually stimulating 1998.

Dr. Brenda-Lee Karasik, Code D14
SPAWAR Systems Center, San Diego
Office of Science & Technology
53560 Hull St., San Diego, CA 92152-5001
(619) 553-2101 phone
(619) 553-6924 fax