GE’s Grid Solutions John McDonald Elected as a Member of the National Academy of Engineers

John D. McDonald, smart grid business development leader at GE’s Grid Solutions with over 47 years of experience in the electric utility transmission and distribution industry, has been elected as a member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineers (NAE). John McDonald, Dr. Manoj Shah, an engineer with GE and GE Research, GE Digital’s Chief Technology Officer, Colin Parris, are among the 133 U.S. and international members elected as part of the 2022 class. Click here for the NAE’s announcement.

The election as a member of the NAE is one of the most prolific 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. To be selected as a member, an engineer must demonstrate that they have helped to pioneer new developments in their field and made outstanding contributions in engineering.

“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.”

McDonald started his GE career in 2007 at 56 years old, 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.  After nearly 50 years in the business, he has assembled his thoughts on career decisions in a talk titled “Key Insights to Career Management,” to help young professionals.

“This is truly an honor for me – one of the highest distinctions for an engineer. You cannot nominate yourself. The existing members determine who the new members will be. They have very high standards, and it is special to be selected by them! I am honored to be included in this group of distinguished engineers,” said John McDonald.

McDonald's 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, has co-authored five books and has one US patent.  John graduated from Purdue University where John received his B.S.E.E. and M.S.E.E. degrees, and then from the University of California-Berkeley where he received an M.B.A. degree.