June 6, 2022 – At its annual Conference & Expo®, the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) presents a series of awards recognizing outstanding achievements in the industry. This year, the esteemed Paul C. Lamb award has been awarded to Keith Williams.
The Paul C. Lamb Award serves as the highest honor bestowed by NFPA. It is given in recognition of Paul C. Lamb and is a tribute to his legacy of service to NFPA and the cause of fire safety. Awarded only to those who characterize the height of volunteer spirit and deed, it recognizes leadership skills, tact and diplomacy, straightforwardness, professional integrity, and active dedication to the goals of NFPA.
It has been 12 years since the Paul C. Lamb award was last bestowed on a recipient; John O’Sullivan was received the award in 2010.
The 2022 winner, Keith Williams, is the retired president and CEO of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. and UL LLC, roles he held from 2005 to 2020. Prior to UL, his career included 23 years at GE Healthcare and eight years with Medtronic.
NFPA and UL share a common parent, the National Board of Fire Underwriters, and share a key day in history—August 17, 1892—which marks the formation of the Underwriters International Electrical Association and the formulation of the National Board Electrical Code. This later led to the creation of UL in 1894 and NFPA in 1896, with both organizations committed to reducing the loss of life and property from fire. Since their founding, the United States has seen more than a 90 ercent reduction in its fire death rate.
UL’s formal involvement with NFPA began in 1900 when UL’s founder, William Henry Merrill, became a member of NFPA. Merrill served as Secretary-Treasurer of NFPA from 1903 to 1908 and as president from 1910 to 1911. Merrill’s commitment to NFPA was Williams’ inspiration to join the NFPA Board of Directors, serve as a board officer, and continue both organizations’ long-held, shared commitment to make the world safer from fire and associated hazards.
All NFPA 2022 award honorees received recognition at the NFPA Stars at Night gala, celebrating the brightest stars in fire and life safety.
For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research and resources, please visit the NFPA press room.
NFPA: 125 Years of Protecting People and Property
The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) is a global self-funded nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The association began its work to solve the fire problem in a young, industrialized nation in 1896 and has since become a global force known for advancing safety worldwide. NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more than 325 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy, and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. NFPA will formally celebrate its 125th anniversary at its Conference & Expo in Boston on June 6 – 9, 2022. For more information or to view NFPA codes and standards for free, visit www.nfpa.org.
Contact: Lorraine Carli, Public Affairs Office: +1 617 984-7275