Investing in our team, strengthening our community
By Rebecca Lintow, CAE, Executive Director | TLT Headquarters Report January 2026
As we welcome 2026, STLE invites the tribology and lubrication engineering community to join us in our commitment to lifelong learning.
At STLE, we often talk about the importance of professional development. Lifelong learning keeps us sharp, adaptable and ready to lead in a constantly changing industry and world. That same philosophy applies not only to our members, but also to the staff team that serves them. In late 2025, the STLE staff put our belief in lifelong learning into action by completing the Qualified Association Specialist (QAS) 2.0 Certificate Program together.
The QAS 2.0 program is a 13-module, self-paced course designed by association professionals for association professionals. It provides a comprehensive overview of the key elements that go into running a successful membership organization—topics such as governance, finance, marketing, events, ethics and volunteer management. For many of our staff, it was both a refresher and a chance to deepen understanding of how each specific role contributes to the larger mission of STLE.
Completing the program as a team gave us a shared learning experience that extended well beyond the course materials. Each module sparked conversations about how we can apply best practices to better serve our members and support our volunteers. It encouraged understanding and collaboration across departments and reaffirmed our commitment to continuous improvement.
Just as STLE members invest in their own professional growth through our education offerings, certifications and events, our staff invests in developing the skills that help us deliver those programs with excellence. Whether it’s planning conferences, facilitating committees, managing finances or producing technical content, every member of our team plays a role in advancing STLE’s mission. Strengthening our internal knowledge base helps ensure that STLE remains responsive, efficient and forward-looking.
Our investment in the QAS 2.0 program also aligns directly with the goals of the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, which emphasizes operational excellence and member value. We recognize that a strong, well-trained staff is essential to carrying out STLE’s strategic priorities—increasing awareness and resources for our field, connecting industry innovators and reaffirming our position as the go-to resources for knowledge in the tribology and lubrication engineering community. For more on the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, visit
www.stle.org/StrategicPlan.
Professional development doesn’t stop when the certificate is earned. The knowledge we’ve gained through this experience will continue to inform our work as we look for new ways to innovate, streamline processes and provide exceptional service. It has also reinforced something we share in common with our members: the belief that an investment in education is an investment in yourself. If investing in your own professional growth is one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2026, the STLE Education Catalog is a great place to start. Download the catalog at
www.stle.org/images/PDF/STLE_ORG/Education/STLE_Education_Catalog.pdf and start learning now.
As we begin 2026, STLE will continue to build on this momentum, offering learning opportunities for those in the lab, in the field, on the shop floor, in the classroom and beyond. When we learn and grow together, we strengthen not only our organization but also the entire community we serve.
You can reach Certified Association Executive Rebecca Lintow at rlintow@stle.org.