Brian Grochal, director of product safety and quality at BARK (New York, New York, USA) was awarded the 2022 James A. Thomas President’s Leadership Award.

The President’s Leadership Award recognizes individuals early in their ASTM International career who have significantly advanced ASTM’s mission through extraordinary accomplishment, example, and vision. The award is given in honor of James. A. Thomas, who served as ASTM’s president from 1992 to 2017.

A member of ASTM International since 2016, Grochal was recognized for his leadership, technical knowledge, and dedication towards the development of consumer product safety standards. He is a member of ASTM’s consumer products committee (F15) and currently serves as chair of the subcommittee on children’s chair and stools.

Prior to his role with BARK, Grochal held positions with DockATot, Underwriters Laboratories, Maclaren, and 4moms. His career concentration is safety and quality.

Grochal holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Virginia. In addition to ASTM International, he is a child passenger safety technician with Safe Kids Worldwide and a board member of the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO).

Media Inquiries: Dan Bergels, tel +1.610.832.9602; dbergels@astm.org

Release #11422

###