Elizabeth Aton – SESHA Fellow and 1999 SESHA Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Liz joined SESHA (SSA) in 1981, when she was Director of Environmental Health and Safety for McDonnell Douglas Microelectronics. In that job she was responsible for the company’s microelectronics operations in Saint Louis, Missouri; Huntington Beach, California and Elmsford, New York.

Liz was named SESHA Regional Director of the Midwest U.S. region, establishing the first region in the mid-United States. She was elected to the SESHA Board of Directors in 1988 and was elected Secretary in 1989. Two terms as Secretary followed, with a term as Treasurer in 1991-1992. In 1993 she was elected Vice-President, and retired from SESHA in 1995. She was elected SESHA Fellow in 1995 and returned to SESHA in 1997, as President. She did a two-year term in that office. Upon her retirement at the end of that term, Liz was presented with the SESHA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Liz supported many SESHA programs, most notably SESHA academic activities. She did multiple terms on the Academic Committee, and was a member of the graduate lecture team for more than fifteen years.

Upon leaving McDonnell Douglas, Liz consulted to the industry and eventually moved to the Washington University School of Medicine, doing applied research in health topics in occupational and public health. Liz holds B.S. (chemistry) and M.S. (industrial hygiene) degrees.

Liz is a member of AIHA’s Environmental Affairs Committee, and a past-president of the Saint Louis local section of AIHA. She has published in peer-reviewed journals, and presented abstracts and lectures at conferences and meetings. She received the “Woman of Distinction” award from the Y.W.C.A and McDonnell Douglas Electronics Systems in 1989.

After retirement from the Washington University School of Medicine, Liz has continued to serve the community as a deputy commissioner of the Saint Louis City LEPC.

Liz lives in Saint Louis, with her husband John.