ASTM Plans Leadership Succession

The future leadership of ASTM International (W. Conshohocken, PA) was decided recently at the October meetings of the board of directors in Seoul, South Korea. A unanimous decision was enthusiastically announced to have Katharine E. Morgan, current vice president of technical committee operations, succeed president James A. Thomas.

“Having been informed by Jim Thomas of his intention to retire, the executive committee of the board set out on a search for candidates whose passion for our organization would again result in excellent stewardship of the Society,” says Thomas A. Schwartz, the 2014 chairman of the board of directors. “Kathie is precisely that individual, with her instinctual knowledge of the workings of our technical committees, the industry sectors they represent, as well as the global standardization landscape.”

Morgan came to ASTM in 1984 as a staff manager and soon assumed roles of increasing responsibility in standards development, rising to her current post in 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and a Master of Business Administration. Outside ASTM, Morgan is a member of the American National Standards Institute’s Organizational Member Forum; the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives; the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization; the Society for Standards Professionals; and the Standards Council of Canada’s Standards Development Organization Advisory Committee.

To ensure a smooth transition for members and customers, Morgan will assume the position of executive vice president on March 1, 2015. She will work closely with Jim Thomas during a time of transition up to his retirement on February 1, 2017.

“Since assuming the presidency in 1992, Jim Thomas’ leadership has had an enormous positive impact on us and our stakeholders. Jim is a respected ambassador, advocate and a voice not only for us, but also for strategic standardization as a whole. We wish Jim and Kathie well, and appreciate their deep dedication to the future of ASTM,” says Schwartz.

Over 12,000 ASTM standards operate globally. Defined and set by us, they improve the lives of millions every day. Combined with our innovative business services, these standards enhance performance and help everyone have confidence in the things they buy and use – from the toy in a child’s hand to the aircraft overhead.

Working across borders, disciplines and industries we harness the expertise of over 30,000 members to create consensus and improve performance in manufacturing and materials, products and processes, systems and services. Understanding commercial needs and consumer priorities, we touch every part of everyday life: helping our world work better.

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