The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) congratulates the 20 outstanding leaders of the U.S. global voluntary standards and conformity assessment community who were honored at ANSI’s 2025 Leadership and Service Awards Banquet and Ceremony on October 22.
The leadership and service awards program is a long-standing tradition that recognizes and honors creativity, dedication, and vision in standards and conformity assessment activities. The event was held in conjunction with the inaugural 2025 ANSI Innovation Summit (formerly World Standards Week) on October 22 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Rockville, MD.
“This evening, we honor twenty leaders who exemplify excellence in standards, conformity assessment, and workforce development,” said Chris Dubay, chair of the ANSI Board of Directors. “To tonight's honorees, thank you. Your leadership and service in standardization helps drive innovation, protect communities, and build a more sustainable future.”
ANSI awarded the following 20 distinguished individuals at the ceremony:
CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
Andrew Updegrove, of Gesmer Updegrove, LLP, received the Chairman’s Award, which honors outstanding accomplishments on behalf of ANSI or the ANSI Federation. A tremendous advocate for the U.S. private-sector-led system, Updegrove’s contributions have benefited and enhanced the broad U.S. standardization community by fostering increased collaboration among standards-setting organizations.
ASTIN-POLK INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MEDAL
Clare Allocca, of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), received the Astin-Polk International Standards Medal, which honors distinguished service in promoting trade and understanding among nations through the advancement, development, or administration of international standardization, measurements, or certification.
EDWARD LOHSE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MEDAL
Wael Diab, of ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee 1, Subcommittee 42, received the Edward Lohse Information Technology Medal, which recognizes outstanding efforts to foster cooperation among bodies involved in global IT standardization.
ELIHU THOMSON ELECTROTECHNOLOGY MEDAL
Hae Choe, of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), received the Elihu Thomson Electrotechnology Medal, which honors an individual who has contributed in an exceptional, dedicated way to the field of electrotechnology standardization at the national and international levels.
FINEGAN STANDARDS MEDAL
Dr. Ritesh Ghimire, of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), received the Finegan Standards Medal, which honors individuals who have shown extraordinary leadership in the actual development and application of voluntary standards.
GEORGE S. WHAM LEADERSHIP MEDAL
Peter Pondillo, of Corning Incorporated, received the George S. Wham Leadership Medal, which honors outstanding contributions by an individual who has provided direction and long-range planning to the ANSI Federation in commitment and support of the national and/or international standards system.
GERALD H. RITTERBUSCH CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT MEDAL
Jonathan Colby, of Streamwise Development, received the Gerald H. Ritterbusch Conformity Assessment Medal, which honors distinguished service in promoting the understanding and application of conformity assessment methods as a means of providing confidence in standards compliance for the marketplace.
HOWARD COONLEY MEDAL
Don Mays, of Product Safety Insights, received the Howard Coonley Medal, which recognizes an executive who has benefitted the national economy through voluntary standardization, and who has given outstanding support to standardization as a management tool.
MAUREEN BREITENBERG CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT RESEARCH MEDAL
Jeroen Van Dam, of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), received the Maureen Breitenberg Conformity Assessment Research Medal, which honors work that advances the principles of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) through outstanding contributions toward reducing redundancy and complexity in conformity assessment.
STEPHEN CRAWFORD WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION MEDAL
Dr. Casey Marks, of ISC2, received the Stephen Crawford Workforce Development and Innovation Medal, which recognizes an accredited credentialing body, or an individual associated with an accredited certification body, that has significantly impacted workforce development in the United States.
MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD
The following seven individuals received the Meritorious Service Award in recognition of their significant contributions to the U.S. voluntary standardization system. Each has demonstrated outstanding service in enabling ANSI to attain the objectives for which it was founded.
Christopher Carnahan, Aerospace Industries Association (AIA)
Dr. Marc Deshusses, Duke University
Laura Donohoe, Electronic Components Industry Association (ECIA)
Mike Leibowitz, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
Alan Manche, Schneider Electric
Thor Petersen, Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)
Wallie Zoller, Rockwell Automation
NEXT GENERATION AWARD
Three individuals received the Next Generation Award, presented to professionals who have been engaged in standardization or conformity assessment activities for fewer than eight years and who have, during this time, demonstrated vision, leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to their chosen field of activity.
Dr. Caitlyn Clark, Xcel Energy
Thomas Conley, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
Ashleigh McNaboe, Boston Scientific
ANSI congratulates all of the outstanding individuals on their contributions to and accomplishments in standards and conformity assessment. View photos of the event.
