After serving as Director of the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) for more than 23 years, Major Patrick E. McPherson, WW9E, is stepping down. Major Rick Shirran VE3NUZ, of Toronto, Ontario, has been appointed as the new Director. McPherson -- an ARRL member -- founded SATERN in June 1988.

“I congratulate Major Shirran on his appointment as leader of the SATERN program,” McPherson said. “I thank Salvation Army leadership for their confidence in the program, for their wisdom in ensuring the perpetuation of the program and for their unflagging support of my efforts administrating the program. I commend them on the choice of Major Shirran. He has been a long time proponent of Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services and its SATERN component. He understands well the culture of Amateur Radio, and he has proven disaster expertise in every field of disaster endeavor.”

Shirran, who received his Amateur Radio license in 1975, served 12 years as a member of the Royal Canadian Navy as a Radio Operator and Communications Technician. He is a Commissioned Officer/Pastor in The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory. Prior to his appointment, Shirran served as the Emergency Disaster Services Director and SATERN Director for The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Recently, SATERN helped provide logistical and communications support after the May tornadoes that swept through Joplin, Missouri.