01/26/2009 Dean Feken, KL7MA, of Perry, has been appointed as the new ARRL Oklahoma Section Manager. Feken is taking over the Section Manager reins from John Thomason, WB5SYT, who was just appointed Vice Director of the ARRL West Gulf Division. In turn, Thomason replaces Dr David Woolweaver, K5RAV, who moved up to Director with the retirement of Division Director Coy Day, N5OK. Thomason had been Section Manager of Oklahoma since April 2003. The Rules and Regulations of the ARRL Field Organization state that when a vacancy in the office of Section Manager occurs between elections, the position is filled by appointment by the Membership and Volunteer Programs Manager, in consultation with the Director. MVP Manager Dave Patton, NN1N, consulted with Woolweaver and Thomason in filling the Section Manager position. Feken, an Extra class licensee, has been the Oklahoma Official Observer Coordinator since the spring 2004 and an Official Observer since fall 2003. Feken's term as Section Manager continues through September 30, 2010. The nomination announcement for the next term of office for Oklahoma Section Manager is scheduled to appear in the April 2010 issue of QST.