Gregory E. Saunders, director of the Defense Standardization Program Office (DSPO) at the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) in Fort Belvoir, Va., has been named the 2007 chairman of the board of ASTM International.

Saunders is a resident of Alexandria, Va. 

From 1988 to 1990, Saunders served on the ASTM Committee on Technical Committee Operations (COTCO), and he served as chairman of the former Committee F10 on Food. He is currently a member of Committee F07 on Aerospace and Aircraft and has also been active on Committees F15 on Consumer Products and F26 on Food Service Equipment.  From 2001-2003, he was a member of the ASTM board of directors, and he was chairman of the ASTM Finance and Audit Committee in 2004. Saunders served as vice chairman of the ASTM board in 2005 and 2006.

As DSPO director, Saunders is responsible for all facets of defense standardization policies and procedures, including the development and use of Military Specifications and Standards, Qualified Manufacturers Lists, and the use of private sector standards. He represents the United States in NATO standardization activities and leads the DoD's efforts to minimize the impact of diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages. He is also vice chair of the Defense Standardization Council.

Saunders serves in the Aerospace Executive Committee, on the Technical Standards Board, and he chairs the Aerospace Council of SAE International.  He is a director on the ANSI Board, and chairs the ANSI Appeals Board.

After he earned his bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the University of Evansville in Evansville, Ind., Saunders began working for the DoD in 1976, and he assumed his current post in 1998. Over the years, Saunders has testified before Congress, served on Defense Science Board Studies chaired by Secretary Perry, and has been responsible for the DoD's program to adopt and use standards produced by voluntary standards organizations.

For an interview with the new ASTM International chairman of the board, visit the ASTM Web site and its online magazine Q & A with Greg Saunders at http://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/SNEWS/JANUARY_2007/saunders_jan07.html?E+mystore.

Release #7566