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Movers and Shakers

1/30/2025

Movers and Shakers highlights the career advancements and accomplishments of high-level trailblazers working professionally in diverse areas of standardization, contributing every day to the strength and success of the U.S. standards and conformance community.

UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) recently announced the appointment of Jeff Marootian as its new president and CEO, effective February 3, 2025.

Marootian has spent over 20 years leading energy, transportation, and sustainability projects while helping to develop industry standards.

Most recently, he served as the acting assistant secretary of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), where he managed a $3 billion innovation portfolio focused on advancing clean energy technologies. He led a team that included more than 1,000 scientists and engineers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the DoE’s Office of Standards.

Prior to that role, Marootian served as a senior advisor to energy secretary Jennifer Granholm. He was also special assistant to the president for climate and science personnel in the White House. Prior to this, he served as the director of the district Department of Transportation (DoT) in Washington, DC; before that, he was appointed by President Obama to serve as the assistant secretary for administration and chief sustainability officer at the U.S. DoT. During his tenure at the DoT, he led efforts to develop standards for micromobility, which remains a priority for ULSE, the organization reports.

“UL Standards & Engagement is working for a safer, more secure, and sustainable world, and having Jeff at the helm will accelerate our momentum and amplify our impact,” said Jim Shannon, chairman of the UL Standards & Engagement Board of Directors. “His extensive background will support the organization in tackling emerging risks and promoting safer innovation as the world evolves.” 

“While standards are often invisible to the people they protect, their impact is everywhere, and I am honored to be part of contributing to ULSE’s mission and ensuring people and progress can thrive,” said Marootian. “The organization has been part of a legacy of safety for more than a century. I look forward to being part of their next chapter.” 

 

Craig Burkhardt has been appointed to serve as the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Deputy Director.

In this role, he will serve as Acting Under Secretary and Acting NIST Director until a new director is confirmed by Congress.

He is a retired capital partner and counsel, Barnes & Thornburg, LLP. From 2003-2006, Burkhardt served as White House-appointed chief counsel for technology at the Commerce Department, leading the legal staff responsible for providing advice to NIST and other technology-related agencies. He participated on the legal team investigating the New York World Trade Center building and fire safety disaster, for which he was presented the department’s gold medal for scientific and engineering achievement.

Additionally, he managed the department’s office of the Chief Counsel for Industry and Security, leading the legal staff responsible for providing export administration and enforcement advice to the Bureau of Industry and Security.

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