Fellow status is granted by the board of directors of the AIHA to full members in good standing who have at least 15 years of continuous membership in the association. A majority of that time must have been devoted to the practice of industrial hygiene. And nominees must have significantly contributed to the field. This is not some kind of old boys club. Nominations are made by a local section, committee, or the board of directors.
Fellows are limited to five percent of the total membership.
These are people I immediately respect when meeting them. Since I serve on the membership committee of the AIHA, I have the privilege to review nominations. The membership committee makes recommendations to the board for granting fellow status. I know that there are nominees who didn't make it through the approval process. Fellows are professionals with true substance.