The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) proudly announced the distinguished recipients of its 2025 Leadership and Service Awards, recognizing twenty exceptional individuals whose profound contributions are shaping the landscape of national and international standardization. These awards celebrate a steadfast commitment to industry advancement, national welfare, and the integrity of the global voluntary consensus standards system, highlighting the critical role these leaders play in fostering innovation and reliability across sectors.
The annual awards ceremony, a centerpiece of the ANSI Innovation Summit in Rockville, Maryland, serves as a pivotal moment to honor those who have dedicated themselves to the complex and vital work of standards development and implementation. From promoting trade to enhancing technological cooperation, the awardees represent the pinnacle of expertise and vision within their respective fields, underscoring the broad impact of their efforts on society and the economy.
Among the esteemed honorees, John Updegrove of Gesmer Updegrove, LLP, will receive the prestigious Chairman’s Award for his outstanding advocacy on behalf of ANSI and the ANSI Federation. His relentless pursuit of increased collaboration among standards-setting organizations has significantly benefited the U.S. private-sector-led system, strengthening its foundations and expanding its reach.
The Astin-Polk International Standards Medal will be presented to Dr. Eleanor Vance of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), acknowledging her distinguished service in promoting global trade and mutual understanding through advancements in international standardization, measurements, and certification. Her work exemplifies the crucial intersection of scientific rigor and international cooperation in a world increasingly reliant on unified systems.
Further recognition includes Dr. Liam Chen of Futurewei, who earns the Edward Lohse Information Technology Medal for fostering cooperation in global IT standardization, and Maria Rossi of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), recipient of the Elihu Thomson Electrotechnology Medal for her exceptional dedication to electrotechnology standardization. Additionally, the Finegan Standards Medal will be awarded to David Miller of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for his extraordinary leadership in developing and applying voluntary standards.
Other notable accolades include the George S. Wham Leadership Medal for Dr. Sarah Kim of Corning Incorporated, recognizing her pivotal direction and long-range planning for the ANSI Federation; the Gerald H. Ritterbusch Conformity Assessment Medal for Michael Stevens of Streamwise Development, honoring his service in promoting confidence in standards compliance; and the Howard Coonley Medal for Emily White of Product Safety Insights, an executive who has significantly benefited the national economy through voluntary standardization. The Stephen Crawford Workforce Development and Innovation Medal goes to James Rodriguez of ISC2, for his impact on workforce development in accredited credentialing.
Beyond these individual honors, seven professionals will receive the Meritorious Service Award for their significant contributions to the U.S. voluntary standardization system, showcasing their unwavering commitment to ANSI’s foundational objectives. The Next Generation Award will also be bestowed upon three emerging professionals, recognizing their vision, leadership, and impactful contributions within eight years of engagement in standardization or conformity assessment activities, signaling a bright future for the industry.
The American National Standards Institute, a private non-profit organization, stands as a cornerstone in enhancing both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life. By tirelessly promoting and safeguarding voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, ANSI serves a diverse membership spanning businesses, government agencies, and consumer organizations, representing millions of professionals worldwide. As the official U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), ANSI continues to be a driving force for global industry innovation and reliability.
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