Joseph "Bud" Trench, AA3B, Named CQ WPX Contest Director

Joseph W. "Bud" Trench, AA3B, of Boyertown, Pennsylvania, has been named Director of the CQ WPX SSB and CW Contests, CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, announced today. He succeeds Randy Thompson, K5ZD, who has been serving as Interim Director.   Bud Trench, AA3B (Photo courtesy AA3B) Trench has been licensed since 1970 and has more than 1.4 million QSOs in his logbook (which would be very thick if still on paper!). Bud has a passion for contesting, achieving 15 first-place finishes in the CQ World Wide DX CW Contest in the Single Op Low Power category using call sign V26K, including the current world record. He has been among the top-10 USA scorers consistently since 2005 in the CQ WW WPX CW High Power category, and has achieved the top North American score six times in CQ WW WPX RTTY. In addition, he was the Single Op World Winner of the CQ WW WPX Triathlon plaque in 2014, and competed in WRTC 2018. Bud is an officer of the Frankford Radio Club and Pennsylvania QSO Party Association, and a member of the First Class CW Operators' Club, CW Operators' Club, Activity Group CW - DL, CWJF Group, A-1 Operator Club and ARRL.   Professionally, Bud is retired from a career at Lockheed Martin, where his responsibilities included leading large organizations developing complex hardware and software systems for the US Government.   "I am honored to be trusted with leadership responsibilities for the CQ WW WPX SSB and CW contests," said Trench, "and I look forward to serving all stakeholders to ensure the continued robustness of these premiere operating events."   Interim WPX Contest Director Randy Thompson, K5ZD, said, "I, and the contest community, appreciate Bud stepping forward to take on the responsibility of managing the CQ WPX Contest. Bud is an extremely prolific contester who is active on all modes. He will bring a fresh perspective to the contest."   Bud is jumping in with both feet, starting immediately to work with Randy on processing the results of last month's WPX SSB weekend, and taking the reins for next month's CW weekend.