Iowa State Engineering Dean James L. Melsa was the only Iowan to be appointed recently to the 1998 Board of Examiners of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

The annual award is given to American companies that demonstrate the highest levels of quality management, according to a press release.

Melsa is one of about 300 other quality experts from around the nation.

Melsa said he has applied and been accepted to the board four times. He said he is interested in the award for several reasons.

“I have an intense personal interest in the quality movement,” Melsa said.

Before coming to ISU, Melsa served as vice president of Tellabs, Inc., of Lisle, Ill. for more than 10 years. At Tellabs, he established the company’s first research organization and led its first strategic planning process, according to a press release.

Melsa said because he is involved in the Malcolm Baldrige quality-based program in Iowa, making contacts with those engaged in the process is beneficial to him.

“I also think that it is a tremendous opportunity to give something back [to the business community],” Melsa said.

He said his membership on the board is a form of volunteerism, with the goal of improving the competitive ability of U.S. businesses.

Melsa said the award is in its 11th year, and was created by Congress to honor former Secretary of Commerce Malcolm Baldrige’s work and his dedication.

Baldrige was concerned about the competitiveness of U.S. businesses in the mid 1980s, Melsa said.

Melsa said the criteria for the award is detailed and well-established. He said the board members ask businesses how they accomplish their objectives, rather than relying on prescribed criteria.

“Our criteria is the foundation of several state, national and international awards,” Melsa said. He said businesses also use the criteria to evaluate their own progress.

Melsa said companies submitted their applications for the award by June 1, and the members of the board review the applications and write 25- to 30-page responses.

The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award has been presented to more than 30 companies, including Merrill Lynch Credit Corporation and Xerox Business Services.

The award is managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and administered by the American Society for Quality Control.