2021 VIVIAN CARR
AWARD PRESENTATION EDITOR’S NOTE: Ellen O’Hara received RCA’s Vivian Carr Award at the 112th Radio Club of America banquet and awards ceremony. The Vivian Carr Award recognizes outstanding women for their achievements in the wireless industry. The following text presents Ms. O’Hara’s award presentation by David Bart and the acceptance by Ellen O’Hara. [DAVID BART] Vivian Carr is a legend here at RCA. She broke the glass ceiling in so many ways. Vivian had a long and storied career at Bell Labs and its successor AT&T, as well as within the IEEE and here at RCA. She could charm, teach, stand fast, and lead; all with an infectious enthusiasm and boundless energy. Her passing left a void for all of us. For me, she is the person who literally put me on the board and inspired my efforts here at RCA. In her memory, RCA inaugurated the Vivian Carr Award in 2014 to recognize an outstanding woman’s achievements in the wireless industry. This year’s recipient, without a doubt, carries forward Vivian’s wonderful example. Ellen O’Hara has held a range of senior positions at multiple companies manufacturing land mobile radio products. She has served as president, CEO, chairman, and/or served on the board of Zetron, iCERT, and EF Johnson, and was in senior positions at Motorola and GE land mobile radio. Her efforts have led or impacted the design of public safety dispatch consoles, 911 call equipment, and radio dispatch products and systems. She was instrumental in developing and growing Zetron’s IP technology and its international business operations; and she substantially increased its share of the large systems market in North America. She is a recognized leader in management, operations, marketing, brand management, and sales, with an expertise in engineering and business development. What a powerhouse. Like Vivian Carr, she commands respect and admiration from her colleagues, and encourages others to be their best. She has been a leader in the Race for the Cure, and in her church, as well as in efforts to provide affordable housing. One of her admirers said that she reflected the image of a leader, a strategic thinker, and was the person that can make things happen.
Ellen O’Hara accepting the Vivian Carr Award at the 112th RCA Awards Banquet Virtual Program.
It is with great pleasure that I have the honor of presenting Ellen the 2021 Vivian Carr Award for her contributions. Ellen, the floor is yours. [Ellen O’Hara] Well, thank you so much David, and thank you everybody attending tonight and at RCA. I am truly humbled and honored to receive this award, given by such a venerable organization as the Radio Club of America, and an award that is named for a truly inspiring person who blazed a trail for women in wireless. Like Vivian Carr, I entered a highly technical field without an engineering degree; and like her, I found satisfaction and joy in working with engineers to address our customers’ needs for improved and safer communications systems and products. It has been a truly rewarding 40 years. I appreciate RCA’s recognition through this award of what women have brought to the table. I am representative of so many other talented women who have contributed significantly to the wireless industry, and so, I thank you on behalf of all of us - for this wonderful award.
Support RCA Youth Activities by Donating Your Frequent Flyer Miles Due to the efforts of Carole Perry, the Youth Activities Program has been very successful. During the year, Carole travels all over the country to meet with people and to speak on behalf of the program. Almost all of the travel is at Carole’s personal expense. You can help by donating your frequent flyer miles to the Radio Club. If you would like to participate, please contact Carole Perry at wb2mgp@gmail.com and she will assist you.
SPRING 2022 PROCEEDINGS
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