ASNT Newsroom

(Washington, DC) — The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announced its support for the Safeguarding America’s Nonprofits Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) to clarify that a nonprofit organization’s federal tax-exempt status does not constitute federal financial assistance. ASNT was included among the organizations supporting the legislation when it was introduced on August 24.

The bill would amend Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code to establish that exemptions from federal income taxes are not considered federal financial assistance unless federal law explicitly provides otherwise. The legislation applies to organizations described under sections 501(c), 501(d), and 401(a) of the tax code.

“For 85 years, ASNT has reinvested its resources into programs and services that strengthen the nondestructive testing profession and the industries that depend on it,” said Jason Riggs, President of ASNT. “The nonprofit community delivers tremendous value through education, workforce development, research, standards, and advocacy. We are pleased to support legislation that helps preserve the environment nonprofits need to continue serving their members and communities.”

As a nonprofit professional society, ASNT reinvests its resources into certification, standards development, education, professional development, workforce initiatives, and other programs supporting the nondestructive testing profession. ASNT’s work helps prepare qualified professionals and strengthen the safety and reliability of infrastructure, transportation, energy, aerospace, manufacturing, and other critical industries.

“Nonprofit organizations play an essential role in workforce development, professional advancement, research, and industry growth,” said Garra Liming, Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs at ASNT. “Providing greater certainty for tax-exempt organizations helps ensure nonprofits can stay focused on delivering value to their members, industries, and communities.”

ASNT joins a broad group of nonprofit organizations and associations supporting the legislation.

About ASNT

ASNT is the association for nondestructive testing (NDT) professionals committed to making the world a safer place. NDT professionals detect irregularities, flaws, and defects in materials, components, and structures that could compromise the safety, reliability, or functionality of an object or structure. Established in 1941, ASNT supports members with certifications, professional development, industry insights, advocacy, events, publications, and networking opportunities and is focused on fostering the growth of future generations of NDT professionals through the ASNT Foundation. Serving more than 22,000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT is based in Columbus, Ohio, with offices in Houston, Texas, Washington, DC, and Chennai, India.

Media Contact:
Garra Liming
Director, Public Relations & Government Affairs
The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)
614-274-6003
govrelations@asnt.org

(COLUMBUS, OHIO) The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announced today that Neal J. Couture, FASAE, CAE, will be stepping down from his role as Chief Executive Officer, effective 12 October 2026, to pursue a new professional opportunity. The ASNT Board of Directors has formed a CEO Succession Committee and has formally launched a search for the organization's next chief executive.

"Neal leaves ASNT a stronger, more global, and more forward-looking organization than the one he inherited. On behalf of the Board, I want to thank him for his years of service and leadership to this Society and this profession. ASNT's work continues without interruption, and our staff team is strong and deeply capable," said Jason Riggs, ASNT President.

Couture has led ASNT since 2019. During his tenure, the Society established ASNT India and the ASNT Foundation, launched ASNT 9712, and earned markedly greater respect within the global NDT community. He created ASNT's advocacy program, which has grown to include an annual Capitol Hill Day mobilizing dozens of NDT professionals, introduced a free Associate membership, oversaw the build-out of ASNT's education and training programs, and refreshed ASNT's brand and identity, among many other accomplishments.

ASNT will share further information as it becomes available.

About ASNT

ASNT is the association for nondestructive testing (NDT) professionals committed to making the world a safer place. NDT professionals detect irregularities, flaws, and defects in materials, components, and structures that could compromise the safety, reliability, or functionality of an object or structure. Established in 1941, ASNT supports members with certifications, professional development, industry insights, advocacy, events, publications, and networking opportunities and is focused on fostering the growth of future generations of NDT professionals through the ASNT Foundation. Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT is based in Columbus, Ohio, with offices in Houston, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Chennai, India.

Media Contact: 

Garra Liming 

Director, Public Relations & Government Affairs 

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) 

614-274-6003; govrelations@asnt.org 

(Columbus, Ohio) The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) is pleased to announce the 2026–2027 cohort of its RISE Leadership Program, welcoming 20 participants from 11 countries to the year-long leadership development experience for early-career nondestructive testing (NDT) professionals. 

Built on the FranklinCovey leadership framework, RISE prepares participants with 10 or fewer years of professional experience to grow as leaders within their organizations and the broader NDT community. The program combines leadership development, professional skills training, and organizational insight into ASNT and the NDT industry through biweekly online sessions, applied practice, and in-person engagement at ASNT events. 

“The future of our profession depends on developing strong technical leaders, not just strong technical skills. RISE gives emerging professionals the opportunity to grow as leaders while building lasting connections across the NDT community,” said Toni Kervina, CAE, ASNT Director of Content and Learning. 

Over the course of the program, participants will complete more than 60 hours of leadership training, attend two ASNT Annual Conferences, and present a capstone project at the ASNT Annual Conference. Following the program, participants commit to maintaining ASNT membership and volunteering with the Society for three years, many of whom go on to serve on ASNT councils.  

2026–2027 RISE Leadership Program Cohort 

• Kunle Adeyemo, Michigan State University, United States 

• Sabir Beroual, PhD, Center for Research in Mechanics, Algeria 

• Yedekpa Noel Benito Bly, Stract Offshore, Cote D’Ivoire 

• Gerardo Barrera Ceron, CIAC, Mexico 

• Peter Iranse, CAGL Global Company Limited, Nigeria 

• Gretchen Marsden, Tulsa Inspection Resources, LLC, United States 

• Ahmed Mohamed, Petrojet Co., Egypt 

• Roman Moore, Mistras, United States 

• Vijay Nakrani, Bhavy Industrial Testing Services, Surat, India 

• Olumide Odeyemi, University of Lagos, Canada 

• Jaiden Patton, Baja SAE, United States 

• Stephanie Pippin, GE Aerospace, United States 

• Mohammed Sbai, GE Aerospace, United States 

• Margaret Sprung, Marathon Petroleum, United States 

• Harshavarthan Venkatesh, Recent Graduate, Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), India 

• Liu Yang, PhD, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Hong Kong 

• Afshin Yousefi, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, Canada 

• Mubarak Yousif AbdElkarim, Sudanese Thermal Power Generation Co., Sudan 

• Harsh Zala, AsInt, India 

• Tyler Zeman, Seacast, United States 

"Developing the next generation of leaders is essential to the continued strength of our profession. RISE reflects ASNT's commitment to equipping emerging leaders with the skills, relationships, and perspective they'll need to guide NDT into the future,” said Neal Couture, FASAE, CAE, ASNT CEO. 

For more information about the RISE Leadership Program, including how to apply for future cohorts, visit asnt.org/education/rise-leadership-program. 

About ASNT

ASNT is the association for nondestructive testing (NDT) professionals committed to making the world a safer place. NDT professionals detect irregularities, flaws, and defects in materials, components, and structures that could compromise the safety, reliability, or functionality of an object or structure. Established in 1941, ASNT supports members with certifications, professional development, industry insights, advocacy, events, publications, and networking opportunities and is focused on fostering the growth of future generations of NDT professionals through the ASNT Foundation. Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT is based in Columbus, Ohio, with offices in Houston, Texas, Washington, D.C. and Chennai, India.

Media Contact: 

Garra Liming 

Director, Public Relations & Government Affairs 

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) 

614-274-6003; govrelations@asnt.org