National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Director and Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Laurie Locascio is stepping down from those posts in January to become president and CEO of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Locascio has served in her roles at NIST since her Senate confirmation in April 2022. President Biden first nominated her in July 2021, and he renewed her nomination in January 2022.
During her time at NIST, she has overseen the establishment of the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (AISI), as well as the distribution of over $8 billion under the CHIPS and Science Act to bolster U.S. leadership in the semiconductor industry.
“Dr. Laurie Locascio will be joining the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as its CEO in January. She will continue to serve as Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director until then, providing leadership for important programs such as the CHIPS for America program and NIST’s extensive work in AI, including the U.S. AI Safety Institute,” a Department of Commerce spokesperson told MeriTalk.
It is unclear who will step in for Locascio after her departure, as the role is a presidential appointee position that requires Senate confirmation.
However, the Department of Commerce spokesperson said that the associate director for laboratory programs (ADLP) performs the duties of NIST director “if that need arises.” The current ADLP is Charles Romine.
Before her time as NIST director, Locascio served as the vice president of research for the University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
In a press release from ANSI, the nonprofit said Locascio’s appointment follows a robust search to find a successor to Joe Bhatia, who retires from ANSI at year-end after nearly two decades of service.
“Laurie Locascio embodies the right mix of visionary leadership, knowledge, and skills that will build on ANSI’s incredible successes and lead the Institute into the future,” said Christian Dubay, chair of the Board Search Committee. “She brings an impressive background in science and technology, in-depth knowledge of standardization, and unwavering commitment to the public-private partnership that forms the backbone of the U.S. private-sector-led standardization system.”
“I have the deepest respect for ANSI, its mission, and its people having worked with the organization throughout my career. I am thrilled to be entrusted with the leadership of this renowned institution with such incredible national and global impact,” said Locascio. “I am also proud to be following Joe Bhatia, who has been an incredibly strong and impactful leader for ANSI for almost two decades.”
