It’s the time of year for celebrations, special traditions—and gratitude. I feel incredibly fortunate for Barr’s outstanding clients and partners. Many of you have worked with us for years—even decades—and I’m thankful for the mutual trust that makes these relationships stand the test of time.

As 2023 winds down, I’m also looking forward to what’s ahead. At Barr, we’re continually evolving to keep pace with our clients’ needs, and 2023 has been no exception. We’ve expanded in Colorado and added a New Mexico presence. We reached a big milestone as we grew to 1,000 employees. In addition, we completed a new strategic plan that positions us to keep serving our clients with excellence and support your success in our dynamic, fast-changing world.

One more update: We launched a digital version of Barrometer this year, and we’ve received great feedback. This issue is the last one you’ll receive on paper, in your physical mailbox. We look forward to sending you digital Barrometer in 2024; if you’re not yet on our email list, subscribe here.

Thank you for your partnership in 2023! Here’s to continued progress, and great memories in the making, in 2024.

About Ward Swanson

Ward Swanson, who began serving as Barr’s president and CEO in 2021, helps industry and regulatory authorities solve complex analytical issues related to preserving and restoring the environment. He is a nationally recognized expert on geochemical analysis, hydrocarbon fingerprinting, low-level mercury analysis, dioxin and furan analysis, and chemicals of concern such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 1,4-dioxane. His three decades of experience also encompass environmental-data quality assurance and quality control; laboratory regulation and certification; analytical methodologies; and internal-database quality.