The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) congratulates the 27 outstanding leaders of the U.S. global voluntary standards and conformity assessment community who were honored at ANSI’s 2026 Leadership and Service Awards Banquet and Ceremony on July 29.
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 2026 ANSI Innovation Summit (formerly World Standards Week) at the Grand Denver Hyatt.
“This evening, we celebrate twenty-seven awardees who exemplify excellence in standards, conformity assessment, and workforce development,” said Chris Dubay, chair of the ANSI Board of Directors. To tonight’s winners, thank you. Your leadership in standardization helps drive innovation, protect communities, and build a more sustainable future.”
ANSI honored the following 27 distinguished awardees at the ceremony:
CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
Timothy Klein, (retired), Office of Technology Policy and Outreach at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 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
Robert Sherwin, ARESCA, 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
Austin S. Lin, Toffoli Projects, 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
Dave Osborn, Philips, 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
Bob Griffin, IBM Corporation, 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
Dr. Richard Forselius, Lockheed Martin Corporate Engineering, 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
George Kelly, ARESCA, 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
Jason Matusow, Microsoft, 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
Ramona Saar, Standards Coordination Office at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 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
The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association 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 nine 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.
Hugo Aguilar, IAPMO
Valara Davis, UL Standards & Engagement
Bruce Desmond, Phoenix Contact USA
Vincent Ferretti III, Corning Incorporated
Sal Francomacaro, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Katy Holdredge, UL Solutions
Lee Luft, (retired), U.S. Coast Guard
Bob Rouse, Tree Care Industry Association
Dr. Fred Zemke, (retired), Oracle
NEXT GENERATION AWARD
Six 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.
Diana Hajali, Office of Standards and Intellectual Property at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration
Mason Hines, RESOLVE for the Global Alliance to Advance Re-use
Dr. Sumona Sarkar, NIST
Thelina Sabrina Smith, Quality Catalyst
Zijun Tong, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
Cassie Williams, Ohmium International
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR COMMUNICATIONS
Two individuals received the President’s Award for Communications, which honors an individual or team whose work helps to illuminate the role that standardization and conformity assessment activities play in improving the health and safety of Americans and in strengthening the competitiveness of U.S. business in a global marketplace.
Grace Roh, ULSE
NFPA “Safety Doesn’t Happen By Chance” Team, NFPA
ANSI congratulates all of the outstanding individuals on their contributions to and accomplishments in standards and conformity assessment.
