ANAB Announces Ninth Annual Terry Burgess Assessor of the Year Award Recipient

For his transformative approach to conformity assessment and exceptional mentorship, Zaire Garcia has been honored with the prestigious 9th Annual Terry Burgess Assessor of the Year Award presented by ANAB. The Terry Burgess Assessor of the Year Award was established in 2017 to honor the memory of a valued ANAB employee, Terry Burgess. The award recognizes individuals who embody the values of teamwork, going the extra mile, customer service, creativity and innovation, performance excellence, leadership skills, and commitment.

Garcia brings a distinguished background to his role as team leader and consultant, having served as a laboratory analyst, quality manager, supervisor, and instructor. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Guadalajara, a master’s degree in forensic science, and a Specialist degree in Forensic Reporting. His expertise spans multiple disciplines within forensic science, having taught professionals on topics including criminal psychology, crime scene preservation, ballistics, and evidence handling. Today, Garcia mentors assessors in ANAB’s ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17020 forensic accreditation programs and has conducted over 85 assessment activities in the past three years.

Beyond his technical expertise, Garcia’s collaborative spirit, empathetic approach, and ability to inspire trust make him highly deserving of the award. Like Terry Burgess, Garcia is a mentor, teacher, and trusted colleague. As an ANAB assessor, his dedication to transforming assessments into learning experiences and fostering continuous improvement has left a lasting impression on ANAB and its customers. Colleagues consistently praise his “calming and reassuring presence” and his ability to see beyond established procedures, treating each assessment as “an opportunity to discover new perspectives, optimize processes, and generate real value for the organization.”

The award was presented to Garcia during ANAB’s 2026 Annual Assessment Development Session in Orlando, FL.

Please join ANAB in congratulating Zaire Garcia on receiving the 9th Annual Terry Burgess Assessor of the Year Award.