Larry Press, director of flooring at Helmitin Inc. in Olive Branch, Miss., has received the ASTM International Award of Merit and accompanying title of fellow.  The Award of Merit is the highest organizational recognition for individual contributions to ASTM standards activities.

Press was cited for his exceptional and sustained leadership as an executive, main and subcommittee officer in ASTM Committee F06 on Resilient Floor Coverings and the significant contributions he has made toward the development and maintenance of flooring standards.

A member of ASTM International since 1988, Press is a past chair and the current second vice chair of Committee F06, where he works on several subcommittees and leads the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to ISO TC 219 on Floor Coverings (F06.92). F06 has presented him with three service awards for his work, in 2003, 2005 and 2008.  He is also active in Committees D14 on Adhesives, D22 on Air Quality, E06 on Performance of Buildings and F13 on Pedestrian/Walkway Safety and Footwear.

Press has worked in the resilient flooring and adhesive industries for more than 35 years.  He has an extensive technical background in product development, manufacturing and quality control. In his current role, which he assumed in 2004, his responsibilities include the development of technical and application information through extensive product testing and research, claims evaluation and settlement, marketing, education and standards development.

Outside ASTM International, Press is a member of the Construction Specifications Institute and the International Standards and Training Alliance (INSTALL), part of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters.  He has also worked with the Carpet and Rug Institute, the Resilient Floor Covering Institute and the Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association.

Release #8302