American Chemical Society
ACS Spring 2024 Meeting
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 17 – 21, 2024
Summary of Governance Issues and Actions
The following summary outlines key actions of the ACS Council meeting held on March 20, and the Board of Directors meetings held on March 15 – 17, 2024.
Actions of the Council
Election Results:
Candidates for President-Elect, 2025
The Committee on Nominations and Elections (N&E) presented to the Council the following nominees
for selection as candidates for President-Elect, 2025: Rigoberto Hernandez, Thomas Holme, Ingrid
Montes, and Laura Sremaniak. By electronic ballot, the Council selected Rigoberto Hernandez and
Laura Sremaniak as candidates for 2025 President-Elect. These two candidates will join Mukund
Chorghade, a petition candidate, and any additional candidates selected via petitions to stand for
election in the fall 2024 national election.
President-Elect 2025a
Nominee |
1st Round |
2nd Round |
3rd Round |
*Rigoberto Hernandez |
124 |
151 |
188 |
Thomas Holme |
107 |
124 |
– |
Ingrid Montes |
60 |
– |
– |
*Laura Sremaniak |
124 |
139 |
180 |
a 415 valid electronic ballots were cast, with 208 being the majority. The results of the first preference vote totals are shown in the 1st round column. No nominee attained a majority. Following the procedures approved by Council, the lowest vote-getter, Ingrid Montes, was dropped and her second-preference votes were distributed in the subsequent round. Those marked with an asterisk (*) were declared elected as candidates.
Candidates for Districts I, V, and International
The Committee on Nominations and Elections announced the results of the election held prior to the
Council meeting; to select candidates from the list of nominees for Directors from District I , District V,
and the International District on the Board of Directors for the term 2025-2027. By electronic ballot,
the Councilors from these districts selected Katherine L. Lee and Matthew Grandbois as District I
candidates; Lisa M. Balbes, Mark C. Cesa, and Silvia S. Jurisson as District V candidates; and
David Wu and Hooi-Ling Lee as International District candidates. Ballots will be distributed to
members residing in District I, District V, and the International District around October 1, 2024, for
election of a Director from each District.
DISTRICT Ia
Nominee |
1st Round |
2nd Round |
*Katherine L. Lee |
26 |
– |
*Matthew Grandbois |
12 |
27 |
Alyssa C. Thomas |
4 |
6 |
Barbara R. Hillery |
1 |
9 |
Total |
43 |
42 |
DISTRICT Vb
Nominee |
1st Round |
2nd round |
3rd Round |
*Lisa M. Balbes |
25 |
28 |
– |
*Mark C. Cesa |
11 |
12 |
24 |
*Silvia S. Jurisson |
9 |
11 |
24 |
Joseph A. Heppert |
7 |
– |
– |
Total |
52 |
51 |
48 |
INTERNATIONAL DISTRICTc
Nominee |
1st Round |
2nd Round |
3rd Round |
*David Wu |
93 |
106 |
140 |
*Hooi-Ling Lee |
84 |
100 |
127 |
Csaba Janaky |
54 |
64 |
– |
Hassan S. Bazzi |
39 |
– |
– |
Total |
270 |
270 |
267 |
a The results of the first preference vote totals are shown in the 1st round column. 43 valid electronic ballots were cast, with 22 being the majority. Katherine L. Lee attained a majority. Following the procedures approved by Council, the majority vote-getter, Katherine L. Lee, was excluded and her second-preference votes were distributed in one subsequent round. Those marked with an asterisk (*) were declared elected as candidates.
b The results of the first preference vote totals are shown in the 1st round column. 52 valid electronic ballots were cast, with 27 being the majority. No nominee attained a majority. Following the procedures approved by Council, the lowest vote-getter, Joseph A. Heppert, was dropped and his second-preference votes were distributed in a subsequent round. Lisa M. Balbes attained a majority, and was excluded from a third round, with her second- preference votes distributed to subsequent candidates. Those marked with an asterisk (*) were declared elected as candidates.
c The results of the first preference vote totals are shown in the 1st round column. 270 valid electronic ballots were cast, with 136 being the majority. No nominee attained a majority. Following the procedures approved by Council, the lowest vote-getters, Csaba Janaky and Hassan S. Bazzi, were dropped and their second-preference votes were distributed in two subsequent rounds. Those marked with an asterisk (*) were declared elected as candidates.
Candidates for Directors-at-Large
In November, the Petition to Add International Representation on the Board of Directors was approved
and ratified. As a result of its implementation, there is a reduction of the total number of Directors-at
Large (DAL) on the Board of Directors from six to five beginning in 2025. Because of the timing of
candidate selection and petition approval processes, N&E opted to select the usual four candidates
for the two possible DAL positions in case the petition failed. Since the petition was passed and
ratified, in fairness to those selected, N&E planned to run all four candidates for one DAL position;
however, one candidate withdrew leaving three candidates. There will be no down-select process and
all three will run as candidates. Preferential voting will be used in accordance with Standing Rule IV,
Section 4., c.
The Committee on Nominations and Elections announced the selection of the following candidates
for Director-at-Large for the 2025-2027 term: Christopher J. Bannochie, Natalie A. LaFranzo, and
Sergio C. Nanita. The election of one Director-at-Large from among these three candidates and any
selected via petition will be conducted in the fall. Ballots will be distributed to the Council around
October 1, 2024.
By electronic ballot, the Council elected Debbie C. Crans to the Committee on Nominations and
Elections (N&E) for an unexpired term of less than one year (2024) and a subsequent full three- year term (2025-2027) in accordance with Standing Rule IV, Section 9., e.
Brian B. Brady 121 *Debbie C. Crans 156
Other Council Actions:
Highlights from Committee Reports and Key Actions
- On the recommendation of the Council Policy Committee (CPC), Council approved the Petition to Remove Inconsistencies and Add Missing Provisions. The petition clarifies language about membership on the elected committees of Council and adds a provision for filling a vacancy in the position of Director-at-Large. This petition is now presented to the ACS Board of Directors for action.
- On the recommendation of the Committee on Committees (ConC), and with the concurrence of the Council Policy Committee, Council approved the Petition to Amend the Duties of the Committee on Budget and Finance (B&F) to better reflect their charge of making recommendations on the Society’s budget for approval by the Board of Directors. The petition also removes an outdated provision to reflect that the funding of the official organ of the Society has been made independent from dues revenue. This petition is now presented to the ACS Board of Directors for action.
- ConC announced that the opening of the online preference form to all ACS members began on March 1 and will run through July 1, Councilors interested in serving on an ACS Committee in 2025 should go to CMTE.acs.org to complete their preferences.
- On the recommendation of the Committee on Divisional Activities (DAC), Council approved changing the name of the Division of Biological Chemistry (BIOL) to the Division of Biochemistry and Chemical Biology (BIOL). This name change takes effect January 1, 2025.
- On the recommendation of DAC, Council approved an amendment to the distribution formula for Division funding. This will allow a greater amount of funding to be distributed to Divisions.
- On the recommendation of the Committee on International Activities (IAC), Council approved the creation of International Chemical Sciences Chapters in Egypt and Guangdong, China, subject to the concurrence of the ACS Board of Directors.
- On the recommendation of the Committee on Local Section Activities (LSAC), Council approved changing the name of the Auburn Section to the East Alabama/West Georgia Section. This name change takes effect on January 1, 2025.
- On the recommendation of the Committee on Membership Affairs (MAC) and with the concurrence of the Council Policy Committee, Council approved the Petition on Dues and Benefits to change the name of the Schedule of Membership to the Schedule of Dues and Benefits. The petition also defines the role of Community Associates. This petition is now presented to the ACS Board of Directors for action.
- On the recommendation of MAC and with the concurrence of the Council Policy Committee, Council approved the 2025 Schedule of Dues and Benefits.
- The Committee on Constitution and Bylaws (C&B) reported the certification of bylaws for four Local Sections (Columbus, Permian Basin, University of Arkansas, and Central Pennsylvania), five technical Divisions (Colloid and Surface Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, and Environmental Chemistry), and two International Chemical Sciences Chapters (Singapore and Switzerland) since the fall 2023 meeting.
- The Committee on Education (SOCED) invited students to participate in a SOCED Discussion Session to be held in conjunction with the ACS Fall 2024 meeting in Denver, and invited Councilors to their upcoming virtual open meeting on April 25.
- The Committee on Younger Chemists (YCC) plans to expand the concept of Local Section Younger Chemists Committees to include International Chemical Sciences Chapters and reported on the inaugural Younger Chemists’ Caucus and their plans to continue holding this event.
Resolutions
The Council passed several resolutions:
- In memory of deceased Councilors.
- In recognition of ACS Secretary, Flint Lewis, on the occasion of his retirement after 28 years.
- In sincere appreciation of the Louisiana Section, host Section for the ACS Spring 2024 meeting, the Divisional program chairs, symposium organizers, and ACS staff for the planning and execution of the meeting.
The ACS Spring 2024 meeting was held from March 17 – 21. As of March 19, there were 14,368 registrations (13,122 in-person and 1,246 online). The ACS Fall 2024 meeting will be held in Denver, CO from August 18 – 22, 2024.
Actions of the Board of Directors – Executive Session
The ACS Board of Directors met in Executive Session on March 15-16, 2024, in New Orleans, LA. They considered several key strategic issues and responded with numerous actions. The meeting was opened with a reflection on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR).
Chief Executive Officer’s Report
The CEO and his staff reported on the 150th anniversary of ACS, the ACS DEIR Maturity Model, the future of ACS meetings, the ACS brand, financials, and other ACS activities. This was followed by a strategic discussion on sustainability. The CEO also introduced the new ACS General Counsel, Tokë Vandervoort, who joined ACS on March 4.
Board Committees
The Board received and discussed reports from the Governing Board for Publishing as well as its Committees on Professional and Member Relations, Executive Compensation, Audits & Risk Management, and Pensions and Investments. Several of these committees requested and obtained Board action on one or more items, as follows:
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Upon the recommendation of the Editor Search Committee, the Board voted to approve the appointment of an Editor-in-Chief of the ACS journal Electrochemistry. The appointment will be announced after the individual has been notified and appropriate arrangements for their service has been made.
-
Upon recommendation of the Society Committee on Publications, the Board voted to approve the reappointment of several ACS journal editors. The reappointments will be announced after the individuals have been notified and appropriate arrangements for their continued service have been made.
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The Board voted to approve the reappointment of two members of the Governing Board for Publishing. The reappointments will be announced after the individuals have been notified and appropriate arrangements for their continued service have been made.
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Upon recommendation of the Committee on Professional and Member Relations (P&MR), the Board approved recommendations for establishing the Dong Qin ACS Award in Nanochemistry, the 2025 Othmer Gold Medal nominee, and the screened lists of five nominees each for the 2025 Priestley Medal and the 2025 Award for Volunteer Service to the ACS.
-
The Board received an extensive briefing and approved several recommendations from the Committee on Executive Compensation. The compensation of the Society’s executive staff continues to be reviewed regularly by the Board.
-
Items related to ACS benefits and budgets were reviewed and approved.
Other Society Business
By consent, the Board took multiple actions including recommendations from the Committee on Meetings and Expositions to change the date of the ACS Spring 2030 meeting in New Orleans from March 17-21 to March 10-14, and the ACS Fall 2032 meeting date and location to August 22-26, 2032, in Chicago, IL were approved, and several interim actions were ratified.
As is customary, the Board heard reports from the Presidential Succession on their current and planned activities for 2024 and 2025. They received an update on the status of the search for the new Secretary of the Society. There were also discussions on how to further improve the ongoing process of raising items of strategic concern expressed by members to the Board and to improve Board efficiency.
Finally, the Board adopted a resolution in honor of retiring ACS Secretary and General Counsel, Flint H. Lewis.
