What’s New at ISSA with Technical Director Bob Jerman – November 2023

As I read the title that’s been given to these articles, “What’s new…”, combined with the fact that we are one week away from celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday here in the states, I was immediately drawn to my appreciation for the large group of volunteers that have served and supported our Association over multiple decades.  Additionally, from the “what’s new” perspective, it’s critical for the long term success of ISSA and our industry that people with a lot of energy and fresh perspectives participate in positions of responsibility in our Association.  I’m very thankful for both.  For myself personally and speaking on behalf of the Association, an incoming flow of passionate volunteers are the “lifeblood” of who we are and guarantee the ongoing improvement necessary to drive the mission of ISSA. 

Thanksgiving, as well as the end of the year, are generally periods for reflection. In the spirit of gratitude for the many volunteers that have driven our Association and industry to where it is today, as well as for the influx of energized individuals now stepping up to accept the challenge of moving us forward, I’d like to remind all of us not to take their commitments for granted.

Collective “thankfulness” may be impossible to completely capture in such a short article.  Let me begin by thanking our management and administrative group, without whom we couldn’t function like we do.  They run so many aspects of our Association, while seeming to operate it all “without a hitch”.  It is neither easy nor without significant challenges.  Our members are the foundation of our Association.  From contractors, suppliers, associates, consulting engineers, affiliates, governmental agencies, and members of academia, your contributions literally make up our Association.   Our ISSA Board of Directors and their member companies sacrifice much in ways that I can’t begin to address here that would adequately reflect their commitment to our Association. 

Without the leaders and members of the numerous ISSA committees, subcommittees, working groups, task forces, etc., we absolutely could not move this Association forward to meet the goals of our Strategic Plan and the mission of this Association.   Their devotion of time and resources cannot be measured.  It not only takes a sacrifice of personal time for those individuals but of their company’s financial resources.  And, it takes passion.  I know that’s a word that you hear me use quite a bit.  But, without a passion for this industry and the people that we interact with in it, there is no long term commitment.  Certainly not the kind of commitment we need to “get it right”.

I’d like to acknowledge that it’s been my privilege and honor to work with someone that exemplifies the passion and commitment modeled by the best of our ISSA volunteers, past and present.  Debbi Deep has recently moved into the next phase of her life, leaving a void in our Association that will be sorely missed by not only myself but by many of you, as well.  She has served ISSA with enthusiasm and her ever-present smile for decades, becoming a very familiar face and presence at the Workshop, at the Annual Meeting, and on endless video conference calls.  Her roles and responsibilities have included Slurry/Micro Committee Chair, Technical Bulletin Review/Revision Committee, ISSA Design and Inspection Manual Committee Member, Technical Response Team Member, Laboratory Technical Group Leader, presenter (Workshop hands on demonstration tables and main hall presentations, Annual Meeting presentations), WTAT Study Leader, etc.  Moving forward, it’s not possible to find a single individual to fulfill all of Debbi’s responsibilities.  As such, let me also say that I’m thankful to the four individuals that will be taking on those roles as we move forward.  Debbi, you truly are a gem! We are thankful for the opportunity to have been your colleagues!  May God’s peace be with you as you begin this new journey, refreshed and renewed in all that you do!

OK, Everyone.  That’s it for this year.  Enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends, cherishing every moment.  We truly do have so very much for which to be thankful.

"Every day is a gift!  Never take a single one for granted!"

Sincerely,

Bob Jerman

ISSA Technical Director