The American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) announced the appointment of William M. Smith, FASPE, as the organization’s new executive director and CEO.

In 2014, Smith became the group’s senior director of technical and regulatory affairs. He was ASPE’s main liaison with the industry’s code writing and standards community. Now, Smith will be in charge of the administration, management and financial operations. In addition, he will implement the policies and procedures created by the ASPE Board of Directors.

Smith joined ASPE in 1993 as an affiliate member and currently is a full member of the group. Smith took on a leadership position in 2002 when he was appointed to the ASPE Board of Directors as Society Affiliate Liaison. Smith also served as chair of ASPE’s Exhibitors Advisory Committee for many years and was elected to ASPE’s College of Fellows in 2012 and received ASPE’s Distinguished Service Award that year too.

“I would first like to express my gratitude to the Society Board of Directors for appointing me as ASPE’s Executive Director/CEO. This is a great opportunity that I humbly accept,” Smith says. “I’m extremely excited to have the chance to continue working closely with the Society’s Board of Directors, our talented staff, our membership, and the industry as a whole—particularly to ensure that the public’s heath and safety are kept at the forefront of our respective collaborative efforts.”

Smith started his plumbing industry career in 1981 as a plumbing product designer for Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. He served as a senior sales engineer, an engineering manager and finally a regional sales manager for both Jay R. Smith and Acorn Engineering.

He also has been involved with the codes and standards development side of the business, including working with the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association, ASSE International, ASME International, ASTM International, CAS Group, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the International Code Council and the Plumbing and Drainage Institute.

 “Mr. Smith has served ASPE for a very long time in many different roles and is well known and respected in the industry. He is very knowledgeable and dedicated, and this has been proven many times through his tireless efforts to ensure the continued success of this Society,” says ASPE President Mitch Clemente, CPD. “I am looking forward to working closely with him and am confident that our members will be just as excited as I am to have Mr. Smith as our new Executive Director/CEO.”