William A. Wildhack Award

The Wildhack Award is presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of metrology and measurement science, consistent with the goals of NCSL International.

The award was established in 1970 in honor and recognition of William Wildhack, a long-time employee of the U.S. National Bureau of Standards, now the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Mr. Wildhack was not only very instrumental in the founding of the NCSL, but also, through his wisdom, his leadership, his dedication and foresight, he helped shape the organization during its early formative years.

The award carries an honorarium and includes a bronze and silver medallion bearing the likeness of Mr. Wildhack. This year's recipient is the 33rd individual to be so honored.

2003 William Wildhack Award Winner

Mr. Peter S. Unger

Peter S. Unger, President of the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), in Frederick, MD, has received the 2003 William Wildhack Award from the NCSL International. It is presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of metrology and measurement science, consistent with the goals of NCSLI. The award was presented August 18, 2003 at the organization's annual Workshop and Symposium in Tampa, Florida by Past President Charles Motzko, who chaired the selection committee.

Unger's award was based on his long and tireless efforts on behalf of international laboratory accreditation. He has not only been involved in the organizational details of establishing accreditation, certification and program documentation, but he is recognized as a visible cheerleader and spokesman for the need and results of programs worldwide.

A2LA is a nonprofit, membership organization administering the second largest, comprehensive laboratory accreditation system in the world with over 1,600 laboratories currently accredited. Mr. Unger has been involved with national laboratory accreditation since 1978. Prior to attaining his current position in April 1996, Mr. Unger served as Vice President of the Association and prior to that, was Associate Manager of Laboratory Accreditation at the National Bureau of Standards (now the National Institute of Standards and Technology).

Mr. Unger chairs the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Arrangement Management Committee and chairs the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC). Mr. Unger is the convenor of the Working Group on the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement Documentation and co-chair of the ILAC/IAF Joint Working Group on Harmonization of Peer Evaluation Processes. He currently serves as ANSI expert to ISO CASCO working groups 18 - 17011, Accreditation body requirements and 25 - 17025, Laboratory competence criteria. He also serves as ILAC liaison to the IAF MLA Management Committee and ISO CASCO WG 19 on Peer Assessment.

Mr. Unger has previously chaired the Training Subcommittee of the National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation (NACLA), the ASTM Committee E36, and the APLAC MRA Council. He earned a BS degree in systems engineering from Princeton University and a masters in environmental management from George Washington University.