Following presentations from candidates from around Australia, the Australian Computer Society (ACS) council has elected Sydney-based ICT lawyer Philip Argy as its president for the next two years.
Argy said he plans to use his tenure as ACS president to focus on promoting professional standards as an effective risk management strategy in the IT industry and bolster the public perception of the technology industry.
"Professionalism is an important risk mitigation strategy and is critical to ensuring that Australia's ICT sector is held in the highest regard by business, government and industry," Argy said.
"I am committed to raising professional standards as I believe this is an essential step both for the future of the ICT sector and for the wider community."
Argy has previously served the ACS as New South Wales branch chairman, and has served multiple terms as vice president.
In 1996 Information Age nominated him as one of Australia's 50 most influential people in IT, and he was awarded a Computerworld Fellow in 1997 for services to the IT industry.
Professionaly, Argy is a senior partner with law firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques, specializing in intellectual property, science, and technology law. Argy takes over on January 1 next year when current president, Edward Mandla, completes his two-year term.
"I will also work to ensure that Australia's ICT teaching skills are improved right across the education system so that technology is provided as a life skill to young people entering our workforce," Argy said, adding this is critical to maintaining Australia's position in the global economy.
In addition to Argy's appointment, the ACS has elected two new vice presidents - Dr Catherine Jaktman and Kumar Parakala.
Jaktman is chair of the Canberra branch of the ACS, has worked in the ICT industry for 15 years and is a principal of Nordic Technology where she works as a project manager and senior technical consultant.
Parakala is the ACS NSW branch chair, and global chief operating officer of the information risk management practice at KPMG. He has held senior IT positions with the Queensland government and the University of Sydney.