FAREWELL SPEECH OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY & CHIEF OPERATING
OFFICER
Pierre de RUVO
And now the end is here.
Don't worry, I'm not about to sing in front of you. But before I bow out of my final
show as Executive Secretary of the IECEE, I thought I'd take this opportunity to say
a few words.
I have been for the last 14 years the CUSTODIAN of the IECEE System, a system
where there is no premium Members but Members adhering to a common
objective…. facilitate trade through a Mutual Recognition.
I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to serve, under the IEC and IECEE
banners, this Community, the electrotechnical Industry, the Bodies providing
conformity assessment services, and the relevant Stakeholder.
I know this organisation well, and I care deeply about its future success. I will leave
the IECEE knowing that it is the IEC conformity assessment flagship in the
electrotechnical sector, a class act stronger than ever in its history.
Regrets, I've had a few. But then again, I did what I had to do. And saw it through
without exemption.
Through it all, I owe special thanks to many people:
First of all I should like to pay tribute to Prof. Alfred Warner, Dr. Alessandro Balossi,
Alfred Christen and other beautiful minds, the fathers of the IECEE System, for
accepting me in the early 80s, when I was a much younger engineer, into what I
considered a visionary circle of masters.
I remember them and their belief “United there is little we cannot do in a host of
cooperative ventures. Divided there is little we can do.
I wish to honor the chairmen of the IECEE with whom the building of the modern
IECEE System has been possible, Frank Kitzantides and Gosta Fredriksson, two
great bright men.
My extended gratitude is also addressed to Fritz Beglinger the IECEE faithful
Treasurer and Jun XIE the former IECEE Vice-Chairman.
I would like to give a very genuine thanks to my Team with a special mention to Tara
Mitchell… all of them have been patient with me during their time with the Secretariat
Office, they have provided me the most able assistance and produced some
exceptional work for the Office, for you all.
I wish to thank you, the Community, for your support, encouragement and
confidence in me.
Although she is not here, my very thoughts are turned to my wife Murielle for her
unlimited support to my unlimited dedication to accomplish my mission, my duties in
my professional engagement. She has constantly strengthen me in moments of
doubt…without her I wouldn’t have been able to withstand
I am enormously proud of the work we have done together and I want to thank you,
the many individuals whose goodwill share of vision and contributions made it all
possible.
And may I say, not in a shy way: I am confident that the work we've done thus far will
put the IECEE in good stead for many years ahead.
I'm committed to my duties for the rest of this year and look forward to working with
you in the coming months on an effective leadership transition. I wish my successor,
Kerry McManama, the best.
Whatever major challenges may lie ahead, I hope that the future IECEE will remain
the reference, the unique global recognition system, yet one that truly facilitates
trade and be invaluable across industrialized countries to developing nations.
And so, my dear colleagues and stakeholders, ask not what the IECEE can do for
you; ask what you can do for the IECEE.
My dear colleagues and stakeholders of the world, ask not what the IECEE will do
for you, but what together YOU can do for a better, safe and efficient world in your
field of activity.
So, as I face the final curtain, I’ll state the case of which I’m certain: as the
custodian of the IECEE System, I’ve lived a life that's full but more, much more
than this, I did it my way.
Of course, I realise Frank Sinatra's My Way could well be one of the most popular
songs for a funeral. And I certainly used words from that song here. But I assure
you I am still very much alive, and I feel this is a happy moment where we can
celebrate IECEE achievements.
I look forward to life after IECEE and new challenges… with much anticipation and
excitement.
I hope that even after I'm long gone from the IECEE, you would have appreciated my
rendition of 14 years, and you will remember me, in a good way.
Thank you and Au revoir!
Pierre de Ruvo
IECEE Executive Secretary & COO