In some ways, it seems as though it was only yesterday. But it has been six years since I first interviewed Virgil R. Carter right after he was appointed executive director of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Carter then was unknown in engineering circles, but had a strong resume and plenty of good experience as an association executive. Carter has become a stranger no more to ASME. Since 2002, his accomplishments have been significant, and on the eve of his retirement next month he leaves ASME as a changed and financially stronger organization. When we spoke together recently for this column, it was almost as though we picked up where we left off before his first day at ASME. Carter stresses now what he did then. "ASME is a unique organization," he said. "The past six years have confirmed what I thought coming in: that the strength of ASME comes from the level of dedication of volunteers and staff. It is like I've seen nowhere else."
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