Matt Loeb currently serves as the IEEE Staff Director of Corporate Strategy and Communications. Loeb is responsible for facilitating the strategic direction of IEEE. He is also charged with enhancing the effectiveness of communications between IEEE and the public, its staff, and its volunteer leadership and governance. His current assignment also includes the development of new and non-traditional business opportunities for IEEE. In this capacity, he is currently heading a major initiative on the development of online communities. With almost ten years at IEEE, Loeb is a member of the senior management team. Prior to this position, Loeb served as Publisher of the IEEE Computer Society for almost seven years where he was responsible for the Society's publications programme, which included 19 periodicals, 150 books and conference records, and numerous electronic publishing activities. Before joining IEEE, Loeb spent three years as Manager of ASQ Quality Press for, the publishing arm of the American Society for Quality where he directed the Society's publishing operations. Loeb has also worked for publishing companies in the Times-Mirror and International Thomson organisations, in technology positions with the Tandy Corporation, and in both teaching and administrative positions for several early childhood education organizations.
Tara Gallus received her Bachelor's Degree from DeSales University in 1997 in the field of Human Services. In addition to her undergraduate training, Tara's professional experiences in the areas of Customer Relations, Project Management, and Product Development have provided her with many valuable business, management, and communication skills. Currently, Tara is a New Product Development Manager for the Educational Activities Department of IEEE in Piscataway, New Jersey. During 2002 and 2003, she has been developing and implementing virtual communities for the IEEE. Her main focus throughout that time has been to identify, document, and communicate knowledge regarding the successful development and maintenance of virtual communities and best practices for collaborating within these "virtual" environments. She has written and presented guidance on these items and continues her research, development, and leadership activities in these areas.