It is with profound sadness that ANSI announces the passing of a beloved colleague, Steven P. Cornish, senior director of international policy, who passed away on April 25. Steven was a cherished friend and colleague to all who knew him within the ANSI Federation and international standards community, and was widely respected for his unwavering dedication, keen insights, and signature wit.
Steven launched his career at ANSI as a program assistant for standards technology in 1989; within a few months, he was promoted to program administrator. He quickly progressed through the ranks, offering substantial support in roles including program manager for standards technology and senior director of international policy, supporting U.S. interests in national, regional, and international standardization.
For years, he served as ANSI’s representative to the ISO Technical Management Board—the body responsible for the organization, coordination, strategic planning and programming of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) technical program—and a number of its subgroups. He also held leadership positions in ISO Technical Committee 207, Environmental management, which develops ISO’s environmental management system standards (ISO 14000). In 2006, the American Welding Society honored Steven with the International Meritorious Certificate Award for his noteworthy accomplishments in welding science, technology, and application.
In 2009, Steven was promoted to senior director, international policy. In this role, he had a powerful impact on the international community, representing ANSI and the United States with the very highest degree of integrity. For more than 36 years, Steven’s widespread contributions to the standards community fostered international collaboration with positive effects that reverberated across all industries and arenas. Steven had the deepest respect and admiration of his colleagues in the ISO community, recognized for his unwavering dedication to consensus building and his ever-present ability to make everyone feel welcomed.
Steven was an avid traveler—in his personal life and for business—attending countless international meetings where he offered his cool-headed counsel and warm friendship. He was also an artistic soul: a talented musician and a gifted poet who earned a Masters of Fine Arts, Creative Writing/Poetry from Columbia University; his work is published in various poetry journals.
“Steven was a mentor and friend to everyone at ANSI, and a true ANSI ambassador to the international community. His integrity and ability to navigate the most complex situations with understated brilliance and genuine humanity were truly remarkable,” said Dr. Laurie E. Locascio, ANSI president and CEO. “Steven’s contributions to the U.S. and international standards communities will endure for years to come, but the warmth and wisdom he brought to ANSI can never be replicated. We will miss him dearly.”
“The impact that Steven has had on my life cannot be overstated. We had a deep friendship that lasted decades,” said Joe Tretler, ANSI senior vice president for international policy. “There is no one I would rather have spent so many hours with—from traveling to international conferences, to starting a band, to enjoying time together with our colleagues, families, and friends. Steven has left his mark on the world, and we will never forget him.”
ANSI extends our deepest condolences to Steven’s wife, Elizabeth, and son, Samuel. We will always remember and honor the light that Steven brought to our lives through his kind heart, poetry, music, and dedication to bettering the world. Thanks, Steven, and cheers.
For additional details about Steven’s life visit his memorial page.
