Former AIHA President to Receive Smyth Award
James R. Thornton will be recognized for exceptional contributions to the IH profession during this month's 2012 AIHA Fall Conference in San Antonio.
The American Industrial Hygiene Association® announced the 2012 recipient of the Henry F. Smyth, Jr. Award is James R. Thornton, CIH, CSP, a former president of AIHA, as well as president of AIHA's Academy of Industrial Hygiene, which is presenting the 2012 AIHA Fall Conference. The award presentation will take place during that Oct. 27-31 conference in San Antonio.
"The Smyth Award is reserved for a special individual who has made significant contributions to the practice of industrial hygiene that have enhanced the health and safety of workers," said Perry Logan, Ph.D., CIH, the academy's current president. "Over his distinguished career, Mr. Thornton has been a coach and mentor to many health and safety professionals. He continues to be a dedicated advocate to strengthening the professional practice through his strong commitments to the Academy of Industrial Hygiene. On behalf of the entire academy, I am honored to present Jim with the 2012 Smyth Award."
Thornton is director of Environmental, Health, and Safety for Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. He has served as a director of the American Board of Industrial Hygiene and has received AIHA's Distinguished Service Award.
The academy created the award in 1981 to honor individuals who have recognized the needs of the IH profession and made major contributions contributing to the improvement of the public's welfare.