Congratulations to Mr. Steve Rea, recipient of the 2024 American Nuclear Society (ANS) Landis Public Communication and Education Award. This award recognizes an individual for outstanding efforts, dedication and accomplishment in furthering public education and understanding of the peaceful applications of nuclear technology.
“This award recognizes an individual for outstanding efforts, dedication and accomplishments in furthering public education and understanding of the peaceful applications of nuclear technology. You are being recognized for your effective advocacy on behalf of nuclear technology, nuclear education, and workforce development in North Carolina and nationally. In particular, your efforts with founding the North Carolina Nuclear Energy Industry Advisory Council.”
Rea earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and his Master in Energy Systems with additional concentrations in nuclear engineering and public policy from NC State University Department of Mechanical Engineering. His career with Duke Energy included technical support engineer at the Brunswick Nuclear Power Plant, as well as configuration control engineer at the Harris Nuclear Power Plant. He has held several positions at Heyward Incorporated, reaching the position of Executive Vice President and Vice President of Nuclear Energy Sales.
Steve was commissioned second lieutenant in the North Carolina Army National Guard. He has served as chairman of the Raleigh and Wilmington American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) sections, chaired the Siemens Water Company Indirect Sales Network Council for 10 years, and created the NC State University Advanced Nuclear and SMR Libraries Collection.
He is the recipient of the Oz Phingst Leadership Award and the First Rotork Nuclear Lifetime Achievement Award. He has been inducted into the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and the NC State Department of Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame. Mr. Rea is the chair emeritus for the North Carolina Nuclear Energy Industry Advisory Council and past board member of the North Carolina State University Friends of the Library.
Samuel Lays, nuclear engineer at Idaho National Laboratory, also received this 2024 award. Steve Rea brings this award back to NC State University as one of two recipients. Lisa Marshall, 2024-25 ANS president and Director of Outreach, Retention and Engagement as well as Assistant Extension Professor, received this award in 2009.
John W. Landis was a charter member of the American Nuclear Society (ANS), joining in 1955. In 1971, he was elected as the 17th president of ANS. He was a Fellow of ANS. In 1996, he was named an “international nuclear statesman” when he received the American Nuclear Society’s Henry DeWolf Smyth (’18 & ‘21) Award. He joined the Atomic Energy Commission and helped design nuclear power plants. In 1953, he began working for the Atomic Energy Division of the Babcock & Wilcox Co. and became head of its center for nuclear research. He contributed to the design of the Indian Point, N.Y., nuclear power station. In 1968, he began working with Gulf General Atomic Co. of San Diego, and in 1971 became the president. From 1975 until he retired in 1993, Landis was a senior vice president and director of Stone & Webster Engineering Corp. in Boston. He was also president of Stone & Webster International.
The American Nuclear Society (ANS) is the premier organization for those that embrace the nuclear sciences and technologies for their vital contributions to improving people’s lives and preserving the planet. Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2024, ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.