At the upcoming officer selection meeting at the ASME Annual Meeting in June, the ASME Nominating Committee will decide on the final candidates for a number of leadership positions that will start in 2011, including ASME president, three Board of Governors members-at-large, and five sector vice presidents. The committee members will make their selections from a pool of ASME members who were nominated for these various offices.

The Nominating Committee is currently accepting nominations for these posts and is encouraging all ASME members to consider running for one of these leadership positions. Realizing that many prospective nominees may have questions about the personal and professional benefits of such a commitment, the committee asked several longtime ASME volunteers about their careers as ASME officers and what made them decide to run for office.

Over the next few months, ASMEnews will publishing these interviews with ASME leaders. In this issue we are featuring the responses of two prominent ASME volunteers who have been long active in Society activities — Past President Thomas M. Barlow and Vincent Wilczynski, vice president of Public Awareness — whom the Nominating Committee asked about their experiences at the ASME leadership level.

Immediate Past President Thomas M. Barlow has had a long and distinguished career as a volunteer since he joined ASME in 1957. In addition to his term as ASME President 2008-2009 term, Barlow served as vice president of the Council on Engineering, a member of the Board of Governors, the Board on Public Information, the General Engineering Operating Board, and the Board on Communications. He was also a member of a number of different ASME committees, including the Committee on Administration, the Committee on Membership, the Committee on Organization and Rules, the Energy Committee, the Publications Committee and the Management Division’s executive committee. Barlow, an ASME Fellow, is also a recipient of the ASME Dedicated Service Award.

The Nominating Committee (NC): What initially prompted you to run for president?
Barlow: The idea entered when I neared the end of my term on the Board of Governors. While it was a daunting idea, it was also intriguing, as I had many thoughts of new paths for the Society and a fair amount of experience in ASME leadership. What really convinced me, though, was the fact that a number of colleagues came to me and urged me to consider running for President. As I began to think seriously about it, I checked with others with whom I had worked, who knew me and ASME, and whose integrity and forthrightness I knew I could trust. To a person, they all were supportive and urged me to become a candidate. Further, they agreed to support me in the process.

NC: What aspect of the position was most rewarding?
Barlow: What I most deeply valued and appreciated was the respect that the leaders of other engineering organizations and the United States Congress, and throughout the U.S. and abroad, held for ASME and its leadership in promoting the engineering profession. The respect shown to the Society — with me as its representative — was most impressive. In addition, the quality of the work of our active volunteers and staff was — and is — outstanding! The president can only do so much; our real strength is that of the staff and active volunteers.

NC: What aspect had the greatest long-term impact on you personally or professionally?
Barlow: The long-term impact is difficult to quantify at this point. Clearly, I have met many new friends and colleagues who will remain so for some years to come. This opportunity has provided me with a view that few attain of the totality of our efforts and achievements. Undoubtedly, it has enabled me to influence a few facets of our work at a level previously unattainable, and I hope to be able to continue to do so in the future.
Being a member of the leadership team of ASME — or of any similar organization — is an asset that is beyond measure. I clearly hope that my experience will help others to reach higher and farther and to work toward better conditions for all of the earth’s people.

Our second featured ASME volunteer this month, Vincent Wilczynski, currently serves as vice president of the Society’s Center for Public Awareness. Since becoming an ASME member in 1992, Wilczynski has taken on a number of different Society appointments, including vice president of the Council on Education, and member of the Board on Pre-College Education, as well as ASME representative to — and national director of — the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition. Wilczynski, who is the Dean of Engineering at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, has also served in just about every office in the New London Section, from chair of History & Heritage and Public Information to vice chair and chair  of the section itself. He is an ASME Fellow and winner of the Dedicated Service Award and the Edwin F. Church Medal for service in mechanical engineering education.

NC: Mr. Wilczynski, what initially prompted you to run for the position of vice president?
Wilczynski: It was in some way a natural progression through the ASME leadership ranks from rep to Board, to Board VP, to Center’s Board, to Center’s VP. The desire to move some ideas into the “done” category was a big motivator, and also to provide stability during a period of change. Also, I thoroughly enjoyed working with the ASME staff, and wanted to do what I could to help them be as successful as they could be.
NC: What aspect of the position was most rewarding to you personally during your term in office?

Wilczynski: The chance to contribute on a wide variety of topics — from History & Heritage events/processes to engineering outreach programs to Capitol Hill projects.  There never was a dull moment as the Center’s momentum carried it forward.
NC: What aspect of your position and term had the greatest long term-impact on you personally or professionally?

Wilczynski: The associations with ASME members and staff from across the country. It is rewarding to see M.E. magazine, or an ASME email, and personally know a good portion of folks that are mentioned in the text. I know that if I need something, professionally or personally, I can turn to a great group of individuals for assistance. Likewise, I enjoy when others call me for help, and finding new ways where I can contribute.

NC: Would you consider running for office again some other capacity?
Wilczynski: Sure, at some point in the future perhaps. Sometime over the next three years I will be leaving my position as the Dean of Engineering at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, as I can only remain on active duty for a set period of time. As such, I am searching for a new job position, which is subject to some pretty tight filters right now regarding the actual position, location and institution. When I do begin a new position, it would be time to consider ASME leadership positions again.

If you would like to find out more about running for an ASME leadership position, or have questions, contact RuthAnn Bigley by e-mail at bigleyr@asme.org.