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PROGRESS REPORT HIGHL IGHTS
A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | A P R I L 2 0 1 7
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MD CORNER
x-ray lab on the NCSU campus. After graduation, I went to
work for B&W’s Lynchburg Research Center (LRC). At LRC,
I performed applied research on B4C, x-ray diffraction pole
figures on Zircaloy, and failure analysis on nuclear com-
ponents. I left the nuclear industry to join TEC. At TEC, I’ve
returned to my first love—x-ray diffraction, which we use to
measure residual stress and retained austenite.
Did you ever consider doing something besides
engineering?
I started my education with medical school in mind. I
actually wanted to become a large-animal vet, but settled
for the medical option. While at NCSU, I was “discovered”
by a metallurgist who offered me a job on campus working
in an x-ray diffraction lab. This opportunity changed my life.
I quickly realized I loved x-ray diffraction. Also, scholarships
were available to female engineering students that were
absent in the biology/zoology programs. It did not take long
for me to change my major. After graduating in materials
engineering, I never thought twice about applying to medi-
cal school. The opportunities I’ve had through an engineer-
ing career have allowed me to purchase a farm with horses,
cows, and chickens. When I’m not pursuing engineering
tasks, I spend my time developing my animal husbandry
dreams.
If a young person approached you for career advice
about pursuing engineering, what would you tell them?
I would first do a sanity check to see what the young
person’s perception is of science and engineering and find
out more about their interest in the field. Then I’d do every-
thing possible to support and encourage them to follow
their dreams. Engineering is a dynamic field and we need
bright minds to build on the foundations established by the
giants that have gone before us. I was raised with the belief
that if I wanted something strong enough, and was willing
to work for it, that I would be able to accomplish anything.
Hobbies?
In my spare time, I run a beef cattle operation and I’m
a church pianist.
Last book read?
“The Eighty-Dollar Champion” by Elizabeth Letts.
Do you know someone who should be featured in an
upcoming Women in Engineering profile? Contact Vicki Burt
at .
MD CORNER
Committee Participation Primer
Spring is a time of renewal and
ASM embraces both the season and
our own ASM Renewal by refreshing
our volunteer base and renewing com-
mittee participation as a vital process
within our organization. ASM’s appre-
ciation for our volunteers is deep
and heartfelt. We realize you give of
your time, money, and talent for our
organization, so we thought it might
be a good idea to let everyone know that our volunteers
are carefully chosen to help make ASM THE premier orga-
nization for materials scientists, engineers, and techni-
cians. We’re thankful for the dedicated professionals who
are advancing ASM’s Renewal along with all of us here at
the Dome.
Participation on committees enables professional
growth for individual volunteers. Development of leader-
ship skills and connectivity with other ASM professionals
can lead to future business relationships. To keep our com-
mittees functioning and viable, a clearly defined process
takes place through which we select committee volunteers.
We encourage our membership to understand and engage
in that process.
If you are interested in volunteering, visit our website
and click on the Volunteer Interest Form:
ASM follows a March to September timeline in preparing
and setting our committees, including reviews and recom-
mendations by staff liaisons, the vice president, and the
full board. Once selected, committee members begin their
terms on September 1 and participate in initial face-to-face
meetings at MS&T in the fall.
Today, ASM’s website lists 30 Society committees, five
technical committees, and 38 Affiliate committees. With
such numbers, not all of our committees are fully functional
or provide significant added value to the membership. This
spring, the vice president and I will carefully inspect the
committee reviews and conduct an Affiliate Summit. Under
the ASM Renewal, these events will take a fresh look at ASM
committees as well as resolve the relationship between our
committees and current board task forces. Some consolida-
tions and integrations may occur.
Thank you for your feedback, guidance, and support
for the ASM Renewal.
William T. Mahoney, ASM Managing Director
Mahoney