January 27, 2023 – Royale Orleans Banquet Hall
5PM Social Hour, 6PM Dinner, 7PM Presentations
Featuring David Assaf, W5XU and David A. Minster, NA2AA
December 30, 2022 – Special Note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the originally scheduled speaker, Glenn Johnson, will not be able to present at the Winterfest Banquet.
David W5XU was raised in New Orleans, LA and was bitten early on by the Amateur Radio Bug. He is a
graduate from Loyola University, New Orleans, LA with a degree in Theoretical Physics, 1967 and later
from Louisiana State University with a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, 1972.
Professionally, David helped form and managed Assaf, Simoneaux, Tauzin and Associates – Consulting
Engineers for 42 years and is presently serving as a semi-retired Senior Advisor. He is licensed as a
Professional Engineer in both Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. Throughout his career, David
successfully designed mechanical and electrical systems for commercial and institutional buildings and
has won several awards for innovative lighting solutions from the Illuminating Engineering Society.
Presently his QTH is Covington, LA — while staying active in cultivating an extensive antenna farm on his
10 noise-free country acres.
Ham Radio Background:
David was first licensed as a Novice in 1964 (WN5LMH), eventually earning his General and Extra Class
licenses as WA5LMH and then in November of 1996, became W5XU. In February of 2016, he added
VP8RXU, Falkland Islands, to his list of calls held.
Current HF equipment at W5XU includes Ten Tec Orion II, Elecraft K3, Drake C line, Drake 7 line and
soon to be added ultra-elusive prototype Drake 8 gear. Interests include chasing DX, being DX via
participation in DXpeditions, Contesting, restoring Boat Anchor radios, antenna experimentation and
home brewing station gear. David has earned a spot on the DXCC Honor Roll with 353 total (mixed)
countries confirmed and lacks only 3 to attain Top Honor Roll status.
Completed DXpeditions:
Operated as PJ2/W5XU in March 2011 and again in March 2022
Team member at VK9MA (Mellish Reef) in November 2017 and 9M0W (Spratly Island) in March 2018.
Intrepid DX Group team member at VP8STI (South Sandwich Island) and VP8SGI (South Georgia Island)
in January/February 2016.
Membership in Amateur Radio Societies:
Intrepid DX Group; Northern California DX Foundation; Delta DX Association; Curacao Contest
Consortium; Lone Star DX Association; Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club; Jefferson Amateur Radio Club;
Life Member QCWA; Life Member of ARRL; and 599 DX Association.
David A. Minster, NA2AA, has been Chief Executive Officer of ARRL The National Association for
Amateur Radio® since September 2020. David earned his ham radio license as a teenager and says, “I
spend every day of my life, one way or another, engaged in amateur radio. It is more than just a hobby
for me; it is my community. It is where I live; where I have built lifelong friendships, and friendships that
span the globe. Amateur radio allows me to dream and to experiment.”
David’s experience spans technology, operation, and finance. Prior to joining the ARRL staff, he served
nearly 30 years in the consumer and luxury goods industries, including CEO at Judith Ripka Wholesale
and Scott Kay, COO of David Yurman, and 14 years at global consumer goods giant Unilever. He has been
a highly regarded international speaker, independent consultant, and advisor. He holds a Bachelor of
Science in Computer Engineering from The Ohio State University.
David’s ham radio pursuits have ranged far and wide over the years – from National Traffic System
training and public service events, to contesting from home and many well-known club stations,
including treasured times contesting from K2GL in Tuxedo Park, New York. He also enjoys contesting
from the Caribbean – particularly on Bonaire, where he is a member PJ4G. David is an avid CW op, and
even collects unique and vintage bugs and keys.
As ARRL CEO, David reaches out across and beyond the organization to develop a vision that encourages
all hams to get and stay radio-active, and to be a connector for getting others involved. He enjoys
cultivating relationships with ham radio leaders, member-volunteers, and staff to lay the groundwork
for a stronger, more vibrant ARRL.
David and his wife, Laura, live in the Connecticut Farmington Valley. He has two adult children, Andrew
and Katherine, and a grandchild, Mia Ana.