“For nearly 20 years, Mark has been instrumental to AIST’s success, and it was wonderful to see him recognized with a Presidential Citation from Tom Toner last month [at AISTech 2025] in Nashville,” wrote Ashburn.

Didiano’s retirement will come into effect at the end of September this year. 

25-year AIST employee Stacy Varmecky will transition to general manager of operations, overseeing membership, board services and office management including finance, human resources and information technology.

26-year AIST employee Brian Bliss will be named general manager of technology and continue to oversee industry-related technology and publication activities.

AIST also welcomed John Ball as general manager of sales, effective 2 June. He will oversee commercial activities including sales and marketing while also evolving the company’s market analysis capabilities.

Ball began his career in the U.S. Navy operating nuclear power plants on a guided missile cruiser, including being deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. After his military service, he worked in conventional power before spending 12 years in various leadership roles within the semiconductor industry with Siemons and Motorola joint venture Infineon and Intel Corp.

Following this, he joined Westinghouse to help develop the international supply chain for steel fabrications used in new power plant construction. Recently, he led regional operations for CRU Group and its subsidiary Steel Market Update, specializing in market analysis across the steel supply chain. He has led consulting initiatives for the steel industry and worked closely with key industry association stakeholders.

Ashburn said various staff roles and responsibilities will also transition throughout the next several months to align with the new configuration.