President’s Message – May 2025

By Shawn Nowak

Just wrapped up our NADL Spring Board Meeting, and while I can’t spill all the beans (some topics are still under wraps), I can say this: exciting things are coming. We took a hard look at what’s working, what isn’t, and how we can keep pushing this industry forward—for all labs, not just the big dogs.

I’ve been on the NADL and FDLT board for 13 years now. That’s not a flex, it’s a reminder—if you’re in this business and you care about where it’s going, you’ve got to do more than just watch. You’ve got to show up.

People love to say, “NADL only supports large labs.” Total myth. We advocate for every size lab—whether you’ve got 5 techs or 500. And another classic: “If NADL really wanted to help, they’d shut down Chinese labs.” Really? We’re not the World Trade Organization. If we could swing that kind of weight, I wouldn’t be flying economy.
What can we do? How about negotiating killer UPS shipping rates? Or setting up collections programs to help you chase down payments from ghosts who vanish when invoices hit? We fight the fights that matter—education, regulation, support—and we do it with your lab in mind.

Personally, one of my proudest achievements has been co-founding the Race for the Future Triathlon. What started as a wild idea for a fundraiser is now a decade-strong movement with over $500,000 raised for the industry. That money funds scholarships, education, and programs that build our future. Not bad for something we thought would last maybe two or three years.

So here’s the pitch: if you’re not already part of NADL, why not? You’re either trying to navigate this industry alone, or you’re standing shoulder to shoulder with people who’ve got your back. I know which one I’d choose.