John McDonald, smart grid business development leader at GE’s Grid Solutions has been elected as a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE).

Being elected as member of the NAE is one of the highest professional honors an engineer can receive. Members must be nominated by a peer, with nominations going through a year-long process before final selections are made.

“On behalf of the entire GE family, we want to congratulate John McDonald on this well-deserved honor,” said Heiner Markhoff, CEO of GE’s Grid Solutions. We’re also proud to see GE Digital’s Chief Technology Officer, Colin Parris, and Dr. Manoj Shah, an engineer with GE Research, elected to this year’s class. The selection of John, Manoj, and Colin illustrates the incredible breadth, depth and diversity of GE’s technical leadership and talent.”

John started his GE career in 2007 with 34 years of experience in T&D and 17 years of experience with three automation system suppliers.  He had held many leadership positions in IEEE, IEEE PES and IEEE-SA.  He helped pioneer the field of Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) integration and substation automation and being named an IEEE Fellow recognized that work. John received the IEEE PES Meritorious Service Award in 2015, bestowed by past winners for those who have made outstanding contributions in leadership, technical activities, and educational activities of IEEE PES. He is now chair of that award committee. 

“I am honored to be included in this group of distinguished engineers,” said John McDonald.

John’s election as a member of the National Academy of Engineers adds to a long list of prestigious honors he has received over the years, including: a Life Fellow of IEEE, CIGRE Honorary Member, past president of the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES), VP for Technical Activities for the US National Committee (USNC) of CIGRE, and past chair of the IEEE PES Substations Committee. John received the 2009 Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineer Award from Purdue University. He has published 150 papers and articles, co-authored five books and has one US patent. 

Source: GE