Werner F. Wedam ce.org press release FOR RELEASE Consumer Electronics Industry Mourns a Leader's Passing ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Arlington, Virginia 12/6/1999 The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) today announced that it is establishing an undergraduate scholarship in the name of Werner Wedam, the respected consumer electronics engineer who was claimed by cancer early this morning at his home in Jersey City, N.J. Wedam was chairman of the CEA Engineering Policy Council (EPC) and recipient of the Engineering Policy Council Lifetime Achievement Award. His passing marks the end of an illustrious career of innovation and leadership that includes several patents, chairmanships and awards for service. Wedam is survived by his children Erich, Kristen and Lauren, and his wife Karen. "Werner's leadership was a major factor in shaping CEA technical policy," recounted George Hanover, former vice president, CEA Technology and Standards. "His sense of responsibility for CEA as well as his sense of humor will be missed by all." In honor of Wedam's tireless work on behalf of the consumer electronics industry, the scholarship will be given to engineering students enrolled in a consumer electronics related curriculum. Seeded with a $50,000 bequest from CEA to the Electronic Industries Foundation (EIF), the scholarship is being developed in conjunction with the IEEE Consumer Electronics Society which has been asked to help to develop the eligibility criteria. "CEA and the consumer electronics industry as a whole, benefited greatly from Werner's contributions and it is important for us to celebrate his life as well as mourn his passing," said CEA President Gary Shapiro. "It is our hope that the scholarship and lifetime achievement award will serve as a reminder of his numerous accomplishments and as a beacon to those who might continue in the spirit of his life's work." For more than 25 years, Wedam had participated and chaired numerous standards and policy activities and led complex projects in the consumer electronics industry. He assisted in the establishment of Sharp Laboratories of America where he has worked since 1992 as Director, Liaison and Support. Among his accomplishments, Wedam established and staffed a U.S. satellite laboratory for a major Korean electronics company and had an extensive R&D background in advanced displays, HDTV systems and advanced VCRs. Wedam managed the development of analog and digital signal processing hardware for TV and VCRs and managed product engineering on an optical video disc player. In addition to the being granted 15 career patents (five patents pending), Wedam authored many technical papers and was the recipient of RCA Laboratories Outstanding Achievement Award in 1983. He was educated at the University of Technology, Vienna, Austria. Contributions to the EIF Wedam Scholarship fund can be sent to EIF at 2500 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201, care of Molly Mannon. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA, formerly the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association) is a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), the 75-year-old Arlington, Virginia-based trade organization representing all facets of electronics manufacturing. CEA represents more than 500 U.S. manufacturers of audio, video, accessories, mobile electronics, communication, information technology and multimedia products that are sold through consumer channels. CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Your Source for Workstyle and Lifestyle Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, product promotion, engineering standards development, market research and governmental and legal affairs support. As the first major technology event of the new millennium, the 2000 International CES is the launch pad for 21st century technology.