Newswise — Bethesda, MD (June 30, 2011): The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) has appointed Mary Steele Williams, MNA, MT(ASCP)SM to the position of Executive Director. This move is indicative of the tremendous growth experienced by the 17 year-old Association. The outgoing Executive Officer, Mark E. Sobel, MD, PhD, a founding member and past President, served for ten years as AMP’s part time Executive Officer and steered it to its current prominence as the voice of molecular pathology. Dr. Sobel has been named AMP’s Executive Officer Emeritus in recognition of his future role as Advisor and sometime Representative for the Society. Dr. Sobel is the Executive Officer of the American Society for Investigative Pathology, which provides management services to AMP. Dr. Sobel stated, “I applaud the decision of the AMP Council to appoint Mary Williams as the first full-time Executive Director of AMP. I look forward to working closely with Mary, who is a trusted colleague, with full confidence that she will lead AMP to new heights.”

The passing of the baton to Williams supports the organization’s intensified initiative to build programs and shape policies that influence the practice of molecular pathology and translational research. William’s immediate objective, already in progress, is to work with leadership to implement a new strategic plan for the Association. AMP President, Timothy J. O’Leary, MD, PhD noted, “Mary has proven to be an exceptionally competent and visionary leader in the molecular pathology community, and we are very fortunate to have had her accept the role of Executive Director of the Association for Molecular Pathology.” Williams joined AMP in 2004 as Director of Scientific Programs and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2006. Prior to joining AMP, Williams spent 14 years in the biotechnology and diagnostics industries, in various education, marketing and business development roles. Her background also includes ten years as a medical technologist in the Veterans Administration and community hospital settings. Williams earned a Master of Nonprofit Administration (MNA) with Distinction from North Park University, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Medical Technology from the Medical College of Virginia, and numerous Graduate Certificates in Nonprofit Management, also from North Park University. Williams holds laboratory professional certifications as a Medical Technologist and as a Specialist in Microbiology from the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

About AMP:The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) is an international medical professional association dedicated to the advancement, practice, and science of clinical molecular laboratory medicine and translational research based on the applications of molecular biology, genetics, and genomics. For more information, please visit, www.amp.org.