BIFMA International Announces New Technical Director Safety & Performance
After a yearlong search, BIFMA is pleased to announce that Anthony Serge will join the association as the Technical Director Safety & Performance. Anthony brings over fifteen years of experience in product engineering, testing, and certification. During this time, Anthony conducted ANSI/BIFMA standard testing for a variety of furniture products and actively participated on several ANSI/BIFMA standard committees, including the International Standards Organization (ISO) committee. Anthony replaces Dave Panning who held the position for the past fourteen years and announced his retirement in 2021. Dave and Anthony are planning a smooth transition.
“Anthony will be a great addition to the BIFMA team,” says Deirdre Jimenez President and CEO of BIFMA, “his industry experience and relationships, especially related to BIFMA standards, will allow him to quickly acclimate to the role. With development of the new Personal Privacy POD Standard and the Commercial Exterior Furniture Standard just kicking off, this is very important.”
In addition to maintaining numerous ANSI/BIFMA standards, Anthony will also be responsible for the publicly available BIFMA Complaint product registry and support outreach and advocacy efforts related to industry safety and performance standards. Anthony holds a BS in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from Western Michigan University and resides in the Grand Rapids area.
About BIFMA
BIFMA is the leading non-profit furniture trade association in North America with members from around the world. Founded from the call to define uniform product standards for the industry, BIFMA has served as the voice of the commercial furniture industry since 1973 and is now the recognized source for refining, managing, and developing furniture standards that embody safety, ergonomics, health, sustainability, and performance that support buyer and specifier communities in making informed furniture selection decisions.
BIFMA further supports the industry providing market data, thought leadership, and industry outreach celebrating design and innovation in recognition of the significance furnishings play in the places we learn, work, heal, and live through product registries, sustainability certification, statistics reporting, government relations, industry promotion, education, networking, and trade development programs.