NCWM Recognizes Contributions of Retiring NIST Weights and Measures Chief
Lincoln, Nebraska (PRWEB) October 27, 2015 -- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will have big shoes to fill for retiring Office of Weights and Measures Chief Carol Hockert, according to the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM). Hockert has announced that she will retire in early 2016 after 10 very successful years of service.
At the 100th NCWM Annual Meeting this summer, NCWM Chairman Ron Hayes presented Ms. Hockert with a special recognition award for NIST’s dedicated support and cooperation with NCWM in the mission of fair and equitable weights and measures standards and regulations. Ms. Hockert has elevated the partnership to new heights since her arrival at NIST in 2006.
Her legacy includes her dedication to improving and increasing training for state and local weights and measures officials. The national standards developed by NCWM and published by NIST are adopted and enforced by the states. Training is a necessity for these standards to be interpreted and applied uniformly by each of the state and local jurisdictions.
Ms. Hockert helped establish a NIST Training Grant which was awarded to NCWM. The funds from this grant enable weights and measures officials to attend classes designed to qualify technically expert inspectors as skilled trainers. The grant is also used to offset travel costs for these new trainers to teach other regulatory officials and to augment NIST’s national training program. Courses are offered on inspection of scales, fuel dispensers, price verification inspections and evaluating the net content of packaged products. Ms. Hockert also used the grant to bring officials together for Weights and Measures Administrators Workshops where training and seminars on management, policy development and effective enforcement methods were held for both new and seasoned administrators.
Hockert came to NIST in February 2006 after serving as Minnesota’s Director of Weights and Measures. NCWM’s current Chairman Jerry Buendel believes that this background has served her well at NIST. “Carol came into the office with a true understanding of the needs and challenges facing state and local weights and measures agencies,” said Buendel. “Her perspective and ease of communication has allowed NCWM and NIST to collaborate more effectively than ever in achieving our common missions.”
NIST has posted the position online with a closing date of November 16. Ms. Hockert reported to the NCWM Board of Directors that NIST is working diligently to name a replacement prior to her March departure to allow for a smooth transition.
The National Conference on Weights and Measures is a professional nonprofit association of state and local weights and measures officials, manufacturers, retailers and consumers. In 1905, NCWM was formed to develop model standards for uniform enforcement from city to city and state to state. The organization has set the example for bringing the right interests to the table to develop and amend national standards to keep pace with innovative advancements in the marketplace.
Don Onwiler, NCWM, http://www.ncwm.net, +1 (402) 434-4871, [email protected]
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