Standardization News

Like democracies and organizations the world over, ASTM International periodically (in our case annually), enacts a peaceful transition from one leader to the next as we welcome our new Chair of the Board and thank our past Chair for their active and dedicated service to the membership. While this transition isn’t marked with parades, speeches, and balls, we nonetheless have our own traditions and ceremonies. At December Committee Week 2024, Chair of the Board Bill Griese passed the gavel and a new Chair lapel pin to incoming 2025 Chair Cassy Robinson. In turn, Cassy recognized Bill with a Past Chair pin and the honorary title of Fellow. 

Why is this important? Because this transition of leadership is a hallmark of the thoughtful design of our governance. A representation of one of our core principles and strengths – that every voice matters. An annual transition of leaders, representing different sectors of membership, ensures we are serving the broad interests of our more than 30,000 members, across 90-plus industries, in 147 technical committees and thousands of subcommittees. Of course, that doesn’t rest solely on our Board Chair. This changing of the guard also comes with the introduction of a class of six new Board members to serve for the next three years.

I’m thankful for Bill’s leadership this past year as he masterfully supported the transition from Kathie Morgan to me, keeping us focused on continually forwarding ASTM’s mission of advancing standards and transforming markets. I look forward to Cassy’s term and that of our new directors as they identify and drive new strategies, programs, and directions that keep that mission, ASTM, and ASTM standards and services relevant and impactful the world over.

That’s easier said than done. Government leadership and policies around the world are challenging hard-earned cooperation and efficiencies in global industries by hampering the transportability and recognition of technical consensus standards in favor of trade obstacles and protectionism. The inevitable advancement of progress and productivity offered by the promise of AI, as well as balancing the need for regulated communities to have ready access to standards that support regulation and law – while still protecting intellectual property and copyright – remains a challenge to knowledge industries like ours. 

Are these challenges or opportunities? Opportunities to be better. Opportunities to create new and different value. Opportunities to expand our relevance and strengths to new areas. Opportunities to evolve as an organization. I prefer to see them as opportunities. Opportunities that will present and require change – or transitions. Working together as staff, members, and partners, we can make these transitions smooth, peaceful, and productive.

With Cassy’s leadership, we’re poised to do just that. This brings me to one of my favorite ceremonial celebrations of our transition of leadership: this issue of Standardization News, where we all get to learn more about Cassy, her background, and her thoughts on ASTM’s future. We’re in great hands. ●

Andrew G. Kireta Jr.
President, ASTM International