This comes from the current issue of the ARRL Letter. I strongly encourage 
blind hams and their affiliate organizations within both ACB and NFB to 
contact Mr. Motschenbacher and make strong but _rational_ arguments as to 
why Yaesu should do more to accommodate the needs of blind amateurs. His 
activity in the wake of Hurricane Katrina might be one avenue of 
approach--the lack of accessibility of most Yaesu equipment makes it 
difficult, if not impossible, for blind hams to use in emergency situations. 
I suspect that writing to [log in to unmask] should get mail to him.

==>ARRL'S DENNIS MOTSCHENBACHER, K7BV, ACCEPTS EXECUTIVE POSITION WITH YAESU

ARRL Sales and Marketing Manager Dennis Motschenbacher, K7BV, has accepted a 
position with Vertex Standard (Yaesu) as Executive Vice President of its 
Amateur Radio Sales Division. ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, 
WJ1B, announced Motschenbacher's departure August 28 "with regret" and 
congratulated him on his new position.

"This is an incredible opportunity for Dennis, who will be relocating to 
Yaesu's Corporate Office in Cypress, California," Kramer said.

In addition to his comprehensive knowledge of the Amateur Radio industry and 
extraordinary marketing and sales skills, Motschenbacher "also brought us an 
unbridled passion about Amateur Radio and a vision for the ARRL's future," 
when he arrived at League Headquarters four years ago, Kramer said.

"The ARRL will miss him," he added. "We have become a better organization 
because of him."

At Vertex Standard, Motschenbacher will be responsible for Yaesu Amateur 
Radio equipment sales and marketing in the US and Canada. He'll leave the 
League in mid-September.

"I dreamed of working at ARRL HQ ever since I was a teenager, never really 
believing I would actually get here," Motschenbacher said. "It has been a 
terrific four and half years packed with lots of change and new friendships. 
I am deeply honored to now have this opportunity to work for Mr. Hasegawa 
and Yaesu, serving the Amateur Radio community in a different but equally as
important manner."

First licensed in 1962 at age 13 as WV6WTD, Motschenbacher -- a Minnesota 
native -- has operated under various US and foreign call signs over the 
years. Well known as a DXer and top-tier contester, he's operated from 35 
different countries and competed at World Radiosport Team Championship 2000 
in Slovenia.

Motschenbacher is an ARRL Life and Diamond Club member and belongs to the 
ARRL Legacy Circle. He's also a past president of the Texas DX Society. 
Before joining the ARRL Headquarters staff, Motschenbacher served as editor 
of National Contest Journal (NCJ) for four years. In his current position at 
ARRL Headquarters, he oversees the League's publication and advertising
sales as well as product marketing and membership recruitment activities.

A year ago, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Motschenbacher was among those 
HQ staff members who were instrumental in coordinating the procurement and 
shipping of equipment to aid radio amateurs responding in the field. He also 
traveled to Montgomery, Alabama, to assist Alabama Section Manager Greg 
Sarratt, W4OZK, who was overseeing the intake of American Red Cross ham
radio volunteers supporting communication at its 250 shelters and kitchens 
along the devastated US Gulf Coast.

 --
 Walt Smith - Clearwater, FL
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