ASTM International Committee D20 on Plastics has recognized R. James Galipeau, general manager at Intertek Plastics Technology Laboratories in Pittsfield, Mass., with the Award of Excellence. Galipeau was cited "for exemplary technical contributions, sustained participation and valued leadership in Committee D20."

Galipeau, who joined ASTM International in 1992, is an active member of Committee D20, where he works on several subcommittees. He is currently vice chair (methods) of the main committee, and chairs Subcommittee D20.10 on Mechanical Properties and the Advisory Subcommittee D20.93. The committee has honored Galipeau twice before with a D20 Award of Appreciation and the Outstanding Achievement Award. In addition to his work with D20, Galipeau also serves on the ASTM Committee on Technical Committee Operations (COTCO).

After graduating from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1986, Galipeau joined the staff at Plastics Technology Laboratories Inc. as laboratory manager. In this position, Galipeau was instrumental in the development of the facility as well as the training of all personnel, resulting in the establishment of one of the leading polymer testing laboratories in the U.S. In 2007, Plastics Technology Laboratories became Intertek PTL, and Galipeau was named general manager.

Outside of ASTM International, Galipeau is a member and past president of the Society of Plastics Engineers, and is first vice chair on the board of directors of the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). He also serves as the U.S. delegate to the International Standards Organization (ISO) Technical Committee 61 on Plastics.

Release #7985