Sunday, April 27, 2008
Nationally Acclaimed Chemical Engineer and Scientist Will Be New Cabinet Secretary For Energy and Environmental Affairs.
A nationally-acclaimed chemical engineer will become Kentucky’s next Energy and Environmental Secretary when the current Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet is reorganized.
He is Dr. Leonard Peters, 68, who recently stepped down as vice president of Global Laboratory Operations for Battelle Memorial Institute, headquartered in Columbus, OH.
In announcing Peters’ selection, Gov. Steve Beshear said the famed scientist would assume this role upon announcement of the new cabinet’s structure, which is expected in the next few weeks.
“Len is a man of impressive credentials. He has achieved in so many areas – as a leader of large organizations, as an educator, researcher and author on multiple environmental issues,” he noted.
Citing Peters’ vast knowledge of the coal industry and renewable energy sources as a result of 19 years at the University of Kentucky, Beshear called Dr. Peters “a perfect selection in helping balance energy needs with environmental concerns.”
“Dr. Peters, Secretary Bob Vance (secretary of the EPPC Cabinet) and I have conferred extensively on how Kentucky can gain the greatest benefit in such an important reorganization,” the governor added.
At Battelle, Peters led the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., where he directed 4,200 scientists and support staff with a budget of nearly $750 million. Much of that revenue came from contracts, grants and private fund initiatives.
He realigned the lab’s research priorities for a diverse customer base in meeting their 21st century needs. Another major achievement was in defining Battelle’s partnerships with universities. The laboratory has major research and development programs in fundamental science, energy, environment, and national and homeland security.
From 1993 to 2003 Dr. Peters served in several key positions at Virginia Tech, including vice provost for research, president of Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc., and as dean of the graduate school.
Before that he spent almost two decades with the University of Kentucky. Among a number of capacities were professor of engineering, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies and acting VP for Research and Graduate studies. He also was chairman of the Chemical Engineering Department.
In his administrative capacity at UK, Peters was responsible for the Kentucky Geological Survey as well as the Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research and other research centers.
At present he is a member of the University of Pittsburgh’s Mascaro Sustainability Institute Board as well as Microsoft Research’s Academic Advisory Board. Dr. Peters is a native of the Pittsburgh area.
An international lecturer, he has written and published extensively in journals, proceedings and books.
Among honors received are the Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ Outstanding Leadership award, the NASA Group Achievement Award, and Outstanding Contribution in Research by the Southeastern Section of the American Society for Engineering Education.
He also received The National Science Foundation Award in recognition of contributions to science and technology in Kentucky. The College of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh has recognized him as an Outstanding Alumnus.
Dr. Peters and his wife, Georgiana, live in Shelby County.
He is Dr. Leonard Peters, 68, who recently stepped down as vice president of Global Laboratory Operations for Battelle Memorial Institute, headquartered in Columbus, OH.
In announcing Peters’ selection, Gov. Steve Beshear said the famed scientist would assume this role upon announcement of the new cabinet’s structure, which is expected in the next few weeks.
“Len is a man of impressive credentials. He has achieved in so many areas – as a leader of large organizations, as an educator, researcher and author on multiple environmental issues,” he noted.
Citing Peters’ vast knowledge of the coal industry and renewable energy sources as a result of 19 years at the University of Kentucky, Beshear called Dr. Peters “a perfect selection in helping balance energy needs with environmental concerns.”
“Dr. Peters, Secretary Bob Vance (secretary of the EPPC Cabinet) and I have conferred extensively on how Kentucky can gain the greatest benefit in such an important reorganization,” the governor added.
At Battelle, Peters led the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., where he directed 4,200 scientists and support staff with a budget of nearly $750 million. Much of that revenue came from contracts, grants and private fund initiatives.
He realigned the lab’s research priorities for a diverse customer base in meeting their 21st century needs. Another major achievement was in defining Battelle’s partnerships with universities. The laboratory has major research and development programs in fundamental science, energy, environment, and national and homeland security.
From 1993 to 2003 Dr. Peters served in several key positions at Virginia Tech, including vice provost for research, president of Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc., and as dean of the graduate school.
Before that he spent almost two decades with the University of Kentucky. Among a number of capacities were professor of engineering, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies and acting VP for Research and Graduate studies. He also was chairman of the Chemical Engineering Department.
In his administrative capacity at UK, Peters was responsible for the Kentucky Geological Survey as well as the Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research and other research centers.
At present he is a member of the University of Pittsburgh’s Mascaro Sustainability Institute Board as well as Microsoft Research’s Academic Advisory Board. Dr. Peters is a native of the Pittsburgh area.
An international lecturer, he has written and published extensively in journals, proceedings and books.
Among honors received are the Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ Outstanding Leadership award, the NASA Group Achievement Award, and Outstanding Contribution in Research by the Southeastern Section of the American Society for Engineering Education.
He also received The National Science Foundation Award in recognition of contributions to science and technology in Kentucky. The College of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh has recognized him as an Outstanding Alumnus.
Dr. Peters and his wife, Georgiana, live in Shelby County.
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 7:48 AM 
