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Thank You, Bill Hardgrave
3 CommentsThe news that Dr. Bill Hardgrave is leaving the University of Arkansas, where he founded and headed the RFID Research Center, is somewhat bittersweet (see Bill Hardgrave to Leave RFID Research Center).
I am happy for Bill that he has been named the dean of Auburn University's College of Business, in Alabama. The position is well deserved. And I'm happy that Bill will continue his involvement with RFID research. But I'm somewhat saddened by the knowledge that his duties at Auburn will likely mean he won't be around the RFID community as much.
I first met Bill when his lab opened on a sweltering June day in 2005. I traveled to Fayetteville, Ark., to see the 10,000-square-foot lab at work at a manufacturing and warehouse facility owned by Hanna's Candles. Bill quickly emerged as an important leader in the RFID community, when the lab produced research showing that RFID reduced out-of-stocks by an average of 16 percent in a trial run within Wal-Mart's stores (see EPC Reduces Out-of-Stocks at Wal-Mart).
What has always impressed me about Bill Hardgrave is his focus on the business benefits of radio frequency identification. The lab was not focused on developing RFID systems, or on coming up with novel, pie-in-the-sky applications. It was all about measuring the benefits that businesses could derive from the technology. The lab's work under Bill's guidance brought a level of credibility to the industry, because previously, there were no objective studies to back up the claims of improved efficiencies.
Bill has spoken at most of the eventsRFID Journal has hosted since 2005, so I got to know him. He is a man of not just intelligence and vision, but of integrity. He is also very humble, and has a great sense of humor. As his stature grew within the RFID industry, he never changed.
Still, I'm confident the RFID Research Lab will continue to do great work. Justin Patton and David Cromhout have been working with Bill from the beginning, and they embrace his belief that it is all about the business benefits, not the technology.
I want to publicly wish Bill all the best in his new position, and I personally owe him a debt of gratitude for all of the time he has given to speaking at our events. I think I speak for the entire industry when I say we are all indebted to him for the contributions he has made to the RFID industry.
Mark Roberti is the founder and editor ofRFID Journal . If you would like to comment on this article, click on the link below. To read more of Mark's opinions, visit the RFID Journal Blog or the Editor's Note archive.
I am happy for Bill that he has been named the dean of Auburn University's College of Business, in Alabama. The position is well deserved. And I'm happy that Bill will continue his involvement with RFID research. But I'm somewhat saddened by the knowledge that his duties at Auburn will likely mean he won't be around the RFID community as much.
I first met Bill when his lab opened on a sweltering June day in 2005. I traveled to Fayetteville, Ark., to see the 10,000-square-foot lab at work at a manufacturing and warehouse facility owned by Hanna's Candles. Bill quickly emerged as an important leader in the RFID community, when the lab produced research showing that RFID reduced out-of-stocks by an average of 16 percent in a trial run within Wal-Mart's stores (see EPC Reduces Out-of-Stocks at Wal-Mart).
What has always impressed me about Bill Hardgrave is his focus on the business benefits of radio frequency identification. The lab was not focused on developing RFID systems, or on coming up with novel, pie-in-the-sky applications. It was all about measuring the benefits that businesses could derive from the technology. The lab's work under Bill's guidance brought a level of credibility to the industry, because previously, there were no objective studies to back up the claims of improved efficiencies.
Bill has spoken at most of the events
Still, I'm confident the RFID Research Lab will continue to do great work. Justin Patton and David Cromhout have been working with Bill from the beginning, and they embrace his belief that it is all about the business benefits, not the technology.
I want to publicly wish Bill all the best in his new position, and I personally owe him a debt of gratitude for all of the time he has given to speaking at our events. I think I speak for the entire industry when I say we are all indebted to him for the contributions he has made to the RFID industry.
Mark Roberti is the founder and editor of
READERS' COMMENTS
I completely agree, Mark
Bill has been a powerful force in RFID for the past several years. He is a pleasure to work with, and a visionary leader. I wish him all the best in his new role at Auburn, and look forward to his continued involvement in our industry. -- Alan Sherman, OATSystems, a Division of Checkpoint Systems
Posted By: Alan Sherman 7/13/10 at 1:34 PM
VP Business Development, Seeonic Inc.
We too are indebted to Dr. Hardgrave's dedication, hard work and focus on behalf of the industry. Bill is a man of great integrity, vision, and sincere care. Whenever he engages with people he looks them in the eye and listens intently to what they have to say with an eye towards learning. I'm sure that quality was noticed by the Board at Auburn, that's a great quality to find in a visionary leader. We'll miss his day to day involvement at the RFID Research Center but know that Justin and David will both carry on his leadership vision. We here are especially privileged to have had the opportunity to work with Bill and his team at UARK. We'll look forward to his continued participation and knowledge sharing in the industry and his wonderful sense of humor.
Posted By: Bill James 7/20/10 at 2:45 PM
Congratulations Bill
When I was a Manager of Strategic Accounts with Markem-Imaje, I worked with Bill and developed a great relationship with him. Markem was a sponsor at the Lab. Alan is correct, Bill has been a powerful force. And, maybe more importantly he has fostered an atmoshpere in our industry that encourages new approaches to solve tracking problems. And, he worked hard at bridging alliances for companies to work together. The value of these acts will be long felt! - Jerry Horne, AIDC and RFID Industry Veteran
Posted By: Jerry Horne 7/21/10 at 6:37 AM