IEEE Life Fellow Manfred “Fred” J. Schindler has won the election to become the 2027 IEEE president-elect, securing a multi-year leadership trajectory that will see him take the helm as president of the world’s largest technical professional organization beginning on 1 January 2028. Schindler’s election marks a major milestone in a distinguished career defined by extensive volunteer service within the organization, decades of engineering leadership in microwave semiconductor technology, and a deep commitment to advancing the global technical community.
Nominated by the IEEE Board of Directors, Schindler emerged victorious after securing 16,421 votes in the closely watched organizational election. His opponent, IEEE Senior Member David Alan Koehler, mounted a strong campaign, garnering 13,874 votes. While the election results represent the clear preference of the participating membership, the outcomes remained technically unofficial at press time, pending the formal acceptance of the IEEE Teller’s Committee report by the IEEE Board of Directors during their scheduled meetings in November. Once that procedural milestone is finalized, Schindler will officially step into the role of president-elect, positioning him to work closely with current leadership, shape strategic initiatives, and prepare for his upcoming presidential term.
Schindler brings to the highest office of IEEE an impressive and diverse technical background rooted deeply in the evolution of modern electronics. As an expert in microwave semiconductor technology, he operates as an independent consultant, providing specialized technical expertise, thorough due diligence, and comprehensive project management to a variety of clients navigating complex engineering landscapes. Throughout his professional journey, Schindler has played a pivotal role in translating advanced laboratory concepts into high-volume commercial reality. He successfully led the development of microwave integrated-circuit technology, guiding critical innovations from initial research demonstrations all the way to mass production. His technical contributions have been widely recognized and documented across numerous publications, and he holds 11 patents that underscore his inventive contributions to the field.
His corporate and industrial footprint spans several decades and includes leadership roles at some of the most prominent names in the technology and telecommunications sectors. Schindler served as the chief technology officer of Anlotek and held the position of director of the Boston design centers for both Qorvo and RFMD. Prior to those executive responsibilities, he built a solid foundation in engineering and applications management, working as an applications manager at IBM, an engineering manager at ATN Microwave, and a lab manager at Raytheon. These roles allowed him to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of the entire product lifecycle, from fundamental research and development to corporate strategy and market delivery.
Beyond his impressive industrial career, Schindler is exceptionally well-known within the global engineering community for his steadfast dedication to IEEE volunteerism, spanning more than three decades. His leadership within the organization has steadily expanded through a succession of high-impact governance roles. Most recently, he served as the 2024 vice president of IEEE Technical Activities, overseeing a vast array of societies, councils, and technical programs that drive the organization’s core mission of fostering technological innovation and excellence. Prior to that, he contributed his expertise as the Division IV director for the 2021–2022 term, representing a critical segment of the broader technical community on the Board of Directors.
Schindler’s administrative and organizational capabilities have also been demonstrated through his leadership of key committees and societies. He served as the chair of the IEEE Conferences Committee from 2015 to 2018, steering the organization’s extensive portfolio of global conferences through a period of growth and adaptation. In 2003, he served as the president of the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society, commonly known as MTT-S. His enduring contributions to the society have been honored with some of its most prestigious accolades, including the 2018 Distinguished Service Award and the 2015 N. Walter Cox Award. Furthermore, Schindler has shared his entrepreneurial and operational insights with a broader audience through his award-winning micro-business column, which has been a regular feature in IEEE Microwave Magazine since 2011.
Continuing his forward-looking engagement with the organization’s strategic evolution, Schindler also led the 2025 One IEEE to Enable Strategic Investments in Innovations and Public Imperative Activities ad hoc committee. This initiative reflects his focus on aligning the organization’s resources, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, and identifying vital avenues for future growth and public engagement. In recognition of his lifetime of dedication and exceptional service, Schindler holds honorary life membership in both the IEEE–Eta Kappa Nu honor society and the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society, cementing his legacy as a pillar of the global electrical engineering and computing community as he prepares to assume the presidency.
