Saying it was time that the ARRL Central Division had younger leadership, Central Division Director Dick Isely, W9GIG, of Saint Charles, Illinois, has resigned from the League’s Board of Directors. He has been succeeded by Vice Director Kermit Carlson, W9XA, of Batavia, Illinois.

“I’m 77 years old, and I still have pretty good health, despite my slow recovery from a shingles attack that hit me last December,” Isely said in a public announcement. “However, it’s time that you have a younger Central Division Director.” Isely and Carlson were re-elected last year without opposition, and Isely expressed confidence that Carlson would “do a better job” in the Director’s chair.

Isely tendered his resignation during the July 2016 ARRL Board of Directors meeting over the weekend in Windsor, Connecticut, and acting on Carlson’s nomination, Isely’s Board colleagues elected him as an ARRL Honorary Vice President.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with many of you over these many years, and, from time to time, there will be future opportunities for this activity,” Isely’s announcement concluded.

During his time on the Board, Isely served as a member of the ARRL Executive Committee as well as on the Board’s Administration and Finance and Membership Services committees. He chaired the CEO Search Committee after former ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, announced his retirement in 2015. Isely also has been among the ARRL Board members to promote the Amateur Radio Parity Act on Capitol Hill.

Isley became the ARRL Central Division Director in 2001, succeeding Ed Metzger, W9PRN, and he was an ARRL Foundation director from 2007 until his resignation from the Board. He had served as ARRL Foundation vice president since 2008. ARRL Great Lakes Director Dale Williams, WA8EFK, has been named to replace Isely on the ARRL Foundation Board.

Isely is a graduate of the University of Missouri and a retired US Navy and American Airlines pilot. He’s an ARRL and an AMSAT Life Member and has been a radio amateur since 1977. Isely helped organize the National Frequency Coordinators’ Council and served 4 years as a director.

ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, is expected to soon announce a successor to Carlson to fill the now-vacant Vice Director’s seat. The ARRL Central Division is comprised of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.