The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), which develops American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited standards for the information and communications technology industry, commended individuals and organizations who contribute to and participate in U.S. and global standards-setting in celebration of World Standards Week.

“Technology standards are essential to the development of new technologies around the world,” said TIA CEO Scott Belcher. “World Standards Week is an opportunity to recognize, reflect, and appreciate standards development efforts that allow the harmonization of complex technical systems that consumers enjoy with ease every day. TIA is grateful to all of our volunteer engineers and our staff who have contributed greatly to industry standards for telecommunications. Because of their commitment to excellence, communications networks around the world are more innovative, reliable, efficient and sustainable.” 

Each year, ANSI holds its annual conference during World Standards Week, which includes a long-standing tradition of recognizing and honoring those individuals who contribute to and participate in U.S. and global voluntary standards-setting.

Today, at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., ANSI will recognize Steve Whitesell, President of Whitesell Consulting and Chairman of TIA’s engineering committee on accessibility for communications products (TR-41), and Stephanie Montgomery, Vice President of Technology and Standards at TIA, for their extraordinary efforts in the development of voluntary industry standards.

“Steve and Stephanie have both contributed greatly to industry standards for telecommunications over the years and their recognition is well-deserved,” said Belcher. “TIA is honored to have them leading our standards development.”

Whitesell will be presented with the ANSI’s 2015 Finegan Standards Medal for extraordinary leadership in the development and application of voluntary standards. As chairman of TIA’s TR-41 Engineering Committee he leads the association’s efforts to develop and maintain voluntary standards for the performance and accessibility of communications products.

Montgomery will be recognized with ANSI’s 2015 Meritorious Service Award. The award is bestowed annually to individuals in recognition of outstanding contributions to the U.S. voluntary standardization system. She has 21 years of service with TIA and currently manages TIA’s standards efforts, which boasts more than 1,000 standards developed by TIA’s engineering committees.