Steven Specker (PhD 1970) has been selected for a Professional Achievement Citation in Engineering (PACE) Award by Iowa State University College of Engineering. This citation recognizes alumni known for their professional competence and creativity.
Sandbulte professor and Chair of the ECpE Department Awards committee, Ian Dobson sent in the nomination for Steven Specker.
In Specker’s PhD thesis, he used optimal control to optimize the trajectory of nuclear reactor kinetics. He began his industrial career at Tennessee Valley Authority, developing nuclear reactor designs and publishing regularly. He later joined General Electric, where he moved through a series of management positions, leading GE Nuclear Energy, GE Digital Energy and serving as Vice President of Global Marketing.
Specker became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Electric Power Research Institute. The Electric Power Research Institute is an independent nonprofit organization conducting research and development relating to the generation, delivery, and use of electricity for the benefit of the public.
Specker is currently serving on the Board of Directors of Southern Company, Trilliant, and Tri Alpha Energy. He is also a member of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board Task Force on the Future of Nuclear Power.