Serving on the leadership team of the IEEE Boston Section has been one of the most rewarding and interesting experiences of my professional journey. The Boston Section, with its rich history and dynamic community, is more than just a regional chapter—it is a hub of innovation, mentorship, and collaboration. Being part of its leadership has given me the opportunity to contribute to a legacy that has shaped generations of engineers and technologists.

What drew me to IEEE in the first place was the sense of community. As a young professional, I found mentors, peers, and opportunities that helped me grow both technically and personally. Now, as a leader, I see it as my responsibility to create that same environment for others. Whether it is organizing technical talks, supporting student branches, or launching new initiatives, every effort is driven by a desire to empower our members.

Looking ahead, I am excited about the future of the IEEE Boston Section. One of my primary goals is to strengthen our engagement with early-career professionals and students. We need to meet them where they are, offer flexible, hybrid events, hands-on workshops, and mentorship programs that reflect the realities of today’s engineering landscape.

Another key focus is excellence and innovation. Our field thrives when it reflects the full spectrum of perspectives and experiences. I am committed to expanding outreach to uninterested groups and ensuring that everyone feels welcome and valued in our community.

Finally, I want to embrace the evolving role of technology in how we operate. From AI to virtual collaboration tools, we have the chance to modernize our processes and make participation more accessible than ever before.

Leadership in IEEE is not about titles—it is about service. It is about lifting others up, building connections, and leaving the organization stronger than we found it. I am proud to be part of that mission, and I look forward to what we will accomplish together.

Ramon De la Cruz has more than 25 years in the semiconductor equipment industry as test development and process technical lead, design engineer, subject matter expert and consulting roles.

An IEEE Senior member and member of the IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu honor society serves on the IEEE Boston Section as Vice chair and IEEE Boston Section MD Committee co-chair and has served as Treasurer, Secretary, and Member-at-large among other leadership positions.

Ramon serves on the ESDA Northeast Board of Directors and has served on the IEEE Boston Reliability chapter as Chair, Vice chair and Member-at-large.

He is currently at Teradyne, Inc. New Product Introduction Group (NPI), where he participates in operations strategy workgroups to define processes and methods supporting next-generation system and instrumentation development for current and future Automated Test Equipment (ATE) Platforms.

Ramon holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University. His background includes Design for Testability, Process FMEA, Systems and Circuit Analysis, Risk Assessment, and Highly Accelerated Stress Testing.