June 9th, 2011

Malcolm Baldridge National Quality logoCraig Ehlert of Montana State University’s College of Business located in Bozeman, Montana, has been appointed by Dr. Patrick Gallagher, Director of the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to the 2011 Board of Examiners for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The Award, created by public law in 1987, is the highest level of national recognition for performance excellence that a U.S. organization can receive.

As an Examiner, Ehlert is responsible for reviewing and evaluating applications submitted for the Award. The board is composed of approximately 500 leading experts selected from industry, professional and trade organizations, education and health care organizations, and nonprofits (including government).

Those selected meet the highest standards of qualification and peer recognition. All members of the board must take part in a preparation course based on the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence and the scoring and evaluation processes for the Baldrige Award.

The Award Program is managed by NIST in close cooperation with the private sector. ASQ in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, administers the program. For media inquiries or interview requests about the Baldrige Program or the Award, reporters may contact Michael E. Newman, NIST Public Affairs Office, at (301) 975-3025 or [email protected].