A Message from ASQ President Jerry Mariarani

February 16, 2006

Dear Friends,

Quality has come a long way in the past 60 years: We've seen great strides in the profession and practice of quality; in the awareness and advancement of quality knowledge and expertise; in the continued development and evolution of quality tools, methods, philosophies and principles; in the adoption of quality around the world.

I've been part of the quality journey for 23 of those years, including a mere 15 with ASQ. Today — ASQ's statistically significant 60th anniversary day — I marvel at what a ride it's been for me, and I hope for you too.

And just as important, I wonder what the ride will be like in the days and years to come.

Those of us who've been engaged in quality for many years can tell you about the joy, mystery, creativity, fulfillment and excitement this important and fascinating profession and discipline have to offer. For those newer to quality let me say: If the past is any indication, your future in quality will hold all of the same.

When I joined ASQ, I knew I had found a new home for my profession, a sense of shared community and another family, really. I found people who do what I do, folks from whom I could learn and, interestingly enough, many who wanted to learn from me. I belonged. For me ASQ is first its people; their passion, their incredible knowledge and their dedication to quality and to each other.

Yet for each of us, ASQ is also that individual membership experience driven by the expansive Body of Knowledge. For the quality community, ASQ provides unparalleled access to quality knowledge, helping us in unmatched ways to hone our craft even further.

ASQ has inspired me, and millions of others, to share knowledge widely and freely, and to take on the challenge of leading others. ASQ has helped me learn and grow. I hope you can say the same today, and that the same will be true for others around the globe tomorrow. While I've benefited greatly from what the Society has afforded me, I also want to give back, particularly to those perhaps fresher to this fascinating profession than I am. ASQ provides us myriad ways to contribute our thoughts, beliefs, skills and passion. Let's all continue to make the most of them.

When I consider all ASQ has meant for me as a professional, and for me as a person, I am humbled, and proud. I am humbled by those around me in the ASQ community, and proud to be among you.

And I'm proud of the difference I've made — because of ASQ — where I've lived and worked. I hope you feel the same, in your heart, mind and soul.

Being ASQ's president in this, our anniversary year, is a wonderful honor. We'll be marking "60 Years of Quality" in different ways, at different times, in different places.

You'll see some of the celebration activities showcased on this Web site as the days and months go by. And we hope you'll let us know what you're doing to make this anniversary year for the Society yet another in ASQ's remarkable history.

As we celebrate our past, let us also enthusiastically embrace our journey toward the future, and bring others along with us. It's a journey perhaps best expressed in ASQ's Vision: By making quality a global priority, organizational imperative and personal ethic, ASQ becomes the community of choice for everyone who seeks quality concepts, technology and tools to improve themselves and their world.

Happy 60th and Thank You, ASQ!