Contact: Mel Torre
Phone: (212) 591-8157
E-mail: torrem@asme.org

NEW YORK, April 2, 2003 - Two members of ASME International were named to leadership positions at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Science Foundation.

On March 31, U.S. President George W. Bush announced the designation of Dr. Nils J. Diaz as chairman of the NRC. The next day, Dr. John A. Brighton was named by the NSF to lead its directorate for engineering.

Diaz, an ASME fellow, is currently serving in his second 5-year term as NRC commissioner. He succeeds Dr. Richard A. Meserve as chairman.

A member of ASME since 1986, Diaz is a member of the ASME Nuclear Engineering and Advanced Energy Systems Divisions. Prior to serving as NRC commissioner in September 2001, Diaz was professor of nuclear engineering sciences at the University of Florida, director of the Innovative Nuclear Space Power Institute - a national consortium of industries, universities and national laboratories - and president and principle engineer of Florida Nuclear Associates, Inc.

Diaz received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Villanova, Havana, and both his master's degree in nuclear engineering and doctorate in nuclear engineering science from the University of Florida.

Brighton, an ASME life fellow and member since 1963, has been chosen head of the NSF's Directorate of Engineering, effective May 2003.

The NSF's Directorate of Engineering helps to ensure that the United States maintains its preeminence across the frontiers of science and engineering leading to fundamental discoveries, technological innovation and economic growth.

Brighton, regarded as one of the nation's top academic administrators, has served as provost and university professor at Pennsylvania State University (1991-1999), where he was also dean of the College of Engineering. Prior to his leadership at Penn State, he held faculty positions at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Michigan State University, Carnegie Mellon University and Purdue University.

He has previously served on the advisory committee for the NSF's engineering directorate, and also as chairman, Council of Deans, Engineering Coalition of Schools for Excellence in Education and Leadership.

Brighton earned his bachelor's and master's degrees along with his doctorate in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.

ASME International is a 120,000-member organization focused on technical, educational and research issues. ASME conducts one of the world's largest technical publishing operations, holds numerous technical conferences worldwide, and offers hundreds of professional development courses each year. ASME sets internationally recognized industrial and manufacturing codes and standards that enhance public welfare and safety.