ISEE Announces Board Leadership Changes and Executive Director Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(CLEVELAND) Nov. 21, 2025 — ISEE announces that ISEE President, Janeen Smith resigned on Oct. 31. The ISEE would like to acknowledge and thank Janeen for her dedicated service to the Society. Janeen has served on the Board of Directors since 2014 and most recently served as President of the Board of Directors in 2024. Throughout her service and membership Janeen has made significant contributions to the Society and leaves behind a strong legacy of leadership and dedication to the mission of supporting and educating blasters. As a result, Kristen Kolden, ISEE Vice President, has stepped into the role of acting President for the remainder of Janeen’s term ending in early 2026. The Board of Directors is following Constitutional guidelines to elect a new Vice President and fill resulting vacancies on the Board of Directors.

The Society’s Executive Director, Steven Shivak will be pursuing other opportunities at the close of 2024. Steve has filled the role of Executive Director since April of 2021 and has done a commendable job organizing the Society staff and ushering in new operational systems, including the new ISEE website and educational programs, all under the challenges of a post-COVID environment. We thank Steve for his dedication to the Society and wish him success in his future endeavors. Beginning in late November, John Capers, a longtime ISEE member, Past ISEE President, and former Technical Director at Austin Powder Company, will step in as the interim Executive Director while the Board undertakes a search for the Society’s next Executive Director.

The ISEE is committed to continuing its mission of enhancing the safety, science, skill and benefits of explosives engineering, worldwide. We are confident with the strong support of our members, staff, and Board of Directors that the Society will thrive. We look forward to seeing you during the ISEE Annual Conference, January 21-26, 2025, in Cherokee, NC USA. Please visit isee.org/conference for the full conference schedule and additional information.

For more information on this press release, contact John Watson, ISEE Treasurer at watson.johnt@yahoo.com.

ISEE Announces Board Leadership Changes and Executive Director Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(CLEVELAND) Nov. 21, 2025 — ISEE announces that ISEE President, Janeen Smith resigned on Oct. 31. The ISEE would like to acknowledge and thank Janeen for her dedicated service to the Society. Janeen has served on the Board of Directors since 2014 and most recently served as President of the Board of Directors in 2024. Throughout her service and membership Janeen has made significant contributions to the Society and leaves behind a strong legacy of leadership and dedication to the mission of supporting and educating blasters. As a result, Kristen Kolden, ISEE Vice President, has stepped into the role of acting President for the remainder of Janeen’s term ending in early 2026. The Board of Directors is following Constitutional guidelines to elect a new Vice President and fill resulting vacancies on the Board of Directors.

The Society’s Executive Director, Steven Shivak will be pursuing other opportunities at the close of 2024. Steve has filled the role of Executive Director since April of 2021 and has done a commendable job organizing the Society staff and ushering in new operational systems, including the new ISEE website and educational programs, all under the challenges of a post-COVID environment. We thank Steve for his dedication to the Society and wish him success in his future endeavors. Beginning in late November, John Capers, a longtime ISEE member, Past ISEE President, and former Technical Director at Austin Powder Company, will step in as the interim Executive Director while the Board undertakes a search for the Society’s next Executive Director.

The ISEE is committed to continuing its mission of enhancing the safety, science, skill and benefits of explosives engineering, worldwide. We are confident with the strong support of our members, staff, and Board of Directors that the Society will thrive. We look forward to seeing you during the ISEE Annual Conference, January 21-26, 2025, in Cherokee, NC USA. Please visit isee.org/conference for the full conference schedule and additional information.

For more information on this press release, contact John Watson, ISEE Treasurer at watson.johnt@yahoo.com.

ISEE Announces Board Leadership Changes and Executive Director Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(CLEVELAND) Nov. 21, 2025 — ISEE announces that ISEE President, Janeen Smith resigned on Oct. 31. The ISEE would like to acknowledge and thank Janeen for her dedicated service to the Society. Janeen has served on the Board of Directors since 2014 and most recently served as President of the Board of Directors in 2024. Throughout her service and membership Janeen has made significant contributions to the Society and leaves behind a strong legacy of leadership and dedication to the mission of supporting and educating blasters. As a result, Kristen Kolden, ISEE Vice President, has stepped into the role of acting President for the remainder of Janeen’s term ending in early 2026. The Board of Directors is following Constitutional guidelines to elect a new Vice President and fill resulting vacancies on the Board of Directors.

The Society’s Executive Director, Steven Shivak will be pursuing other opportunities at the close of 2024. Steve has filled the role of Executive Director since April of 2021 and has done a commendable job organizing the Society staff and ushering in new operational systems, including the new ISEE website and educational programs, all under the challenges of a post-COVID environment. We thank Steve for his dedication to the Society and wish him success in his future endeavors. Beginning in late November, John Capers, a longtime ISEE member, Past ISEE President, and former Technical Director at Austin Powder Company, will step in as the interim Executive Director while the Board undertakes a search for the Society’s next Executive Director.

The ISEE is committed to continuing its mission of enhancing the safety, science, skill and benefits of explosives engineering, worldwide. We are confident with the strong support of our members, staff, and Board of Directors that the Society will thrive. We look forward to seeing you during the ISEE Annual Conference, January 21-26, 2025, in Cherokee, NC USA. Please visit isee.org/conference for the full conference schedule and additional information.

For more information on this press release, contact John Watson, ISEE Treasurer at watson.johnt@yahoo.com.