Stanley Theobald has worked for and with the world’s largest professional society for materials scientists and engineers for more than a third of the ASM International’s 99-year history but come this Oct. 15 he plans to doff that hat and pass the baton to a new managing director.
Well, not exactly new. In step with a transition plan proposed to and approved by the ASM Board at a late July meeting, Thomas Passek, associate managing director of the Materials Park, Ohio-based association for the past decade, will succeed Theobald in mid-October as the ASM’s sixth managing director.
“As 2013 marks ASM’s 100th anniversary, it is fortunate when you don’t have to look outside the organization for leadership,” ASM President Christopher Berndt commented on the transition, which will see Theobald move to senior director of business development post retirement.
Passek comes to the managing director’s post well prepared, having served as executive director of ASNT from 2000 to 2002 and as executive director of the ASM Affiliate Societies for seven years.
In his new role, Theobald will work closely with ASM members, chapters, industry, academia and government to strengthen ASM’s partnerships, relationships and product offerings.
Founded in 1913, ASM International is preparing to celebrate 100 years of serving the materials engineering community and counts an international membership of over 34,000.