Section History

Fox Valley Section (1208)

History, Accomplishments, and Leadership

by Mohammad A. H. Khan
Section 1208 Member - 1976 to present

History

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) was established on 16 February 1946 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its Fox Valley Section (# 1208) was formed / created in 1957. Per Ralph Haertel, a long-time member of Chicago Section (Section # 1201), Fox Valley Section was sponsored by the Chicago Section and Christopher B. Wyatt was elected Chairman, Alfred F. Zornow, Vice Chairman and Harry E. Jahns, Secretary-Treasurer.

The Fox Valley Section was formed / created to facilitate convenient gathering / assembling / networking for the large number of Quality Professionals living in the suburbs of Chicago, especially the Western, Far Western, Southwestern and Northwestern Suburbs.

Some of the pioneers of the Fox Valley Section were Christopher B. Wyatt, Alfred F. Zornow, Harry E. Jahns, Albert Stoltz, Loren M. Walsh, Ralph E. Wurster, Charles W. Gaw, Joseph E. Archie and Richard A. Maass.

In the past, new ASQ sections were created / formed when a group of dedicated and sincere quality professionals, in an area far away from an established ASQ Sections, needed a section of their own. These quality professionals approached the nearest established ASQ section and asked for their sponsorship. If the established section was willing to sponsor the new section, it would provide seed money and all the necessary professional help to establish and operate that new section. The sponsoring section monitored the new section and provided the help needed until the new section is self-sufficient. In the past, Fox Valley Section sponsored the Heart of Illinois Section (Section # 1211) and, possibly, the Illiana Section (Section # 1213).

Accomplishments

Professional Development

Until 2020, when the pandemic forced changes, the Fox Valley Section provided eight (8) monthly face to face professional meetings on various quality related topics from various experts in the field of quality and related professions. These professional meetings normally had two related presentations covering the subject’s basics and an in-depth view of the topic. Attendees earned recertification units (RUs). Between the two presentations was an optional dinner for a nominal charge. These monthly meetings provided a chance for attendees to network and socialize before and after the presentations and during dinner. Also, in some months, Fox Valley Section provided Plant Tours of local companies in lieu of a dinner meeting, to observe and provide feedback on their manufacturing processes and quality practices.

During the pandemic, the Fox Valley Section switched to virtual meetings for its eight (8) monthly professional meetings. The Fox Valley Section currently offers a mix of virtual and face-to-face professional meetings and plant tours.

Educational Courses

Each year Fox Valley Section provides preparatory courses for various ASQ Certifications like Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), and Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE).

Earlier, in the 1970’s and 1980’s, Fox Valley Section provided eight-week evening courses in various quality related topics like Statistical Process Control, Six Sigma, Black Belt, Geometric Tolerance and Reliability Engineering.

Scholarships

The Fox Valley Section offers two scholarships each year.

1. Richard A. Maass Memorial Scholarship

Since its inception in 1990, the section awards the Richard A. Maass Memorial Scholarship annually to a selected candidate (nominee), from the invited, local High School Graduating Seniors and / or from first year of local Community College students, pursuing college education next academic year at an accredited University or Four-Year Degree College. Invitations and Application Requirements for scholarships are mailed to approximately 104 local High Schools and Local Community Colleges every December.

2. ASQ Fox Valley Section # 1208 Scholarship

Since 2000, the section has awarded the ASQ Fox Valley Section # 1208 Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a selected candidate (nominee) from the Children and / or Grand Children of Section # 1208 Active Members who are High School Graduating Seniors and / or from undergraduate College students attending accredited University or Four-Year Degree College or Local Community College.

Conferences

From 1998 to 2012, when the Northern Illinois Quality Conference (NIQC) ended, the Fox Valley Section and four other, local ASQ sections planned, organized, funded, and staffed the fifteen (15) two or three day NIQC conferences The four other local sections that participated were Chicago Section (Section # 1201), Heart of Illinois Section (Section # 1211), Illiana Section (Section # 1213) and Northeastern Illinois Section (Section # 1212). The Steering Committee for the conference was formed from the representatives of the five sections. The Steering Committee planned, organized, acquired speakers and instructors for the conference, and executed conference logistics. All fifteen conferences were successful and well received.

Leadership

The successes, accomplishments, and longevity of the Fox Valley Section, since its formation in1957 to the present, are due to the dedicated, sincere, and hard work of the Section Leadership Committee (SLC). Every year, since 1957, these individuals planned, executed, and monitored the broad and minute details of providing professional development for the quality community. Following is the list of Fox Valley Leadership names provided by ASQ, for recognition. There are many more people whose names are not mentioned in this list who should be recognized and thanked.

This information is from ASQ. We cannot guarantee its accuracy.