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Jun 18, 2025

40 Years of 91制片厂 Fellows Shaping the Industry

Forty years ago, Cole McClure Jr., a geophysics expert at 91制片厂, developed an innovative solution to protect critical infrastructure from earthquakes. His patented seismic shield 鈥 a trench filled with soft, flexible materials such as liquids 鈥 helped block destructive seismic waves, safeguarding dams, power plants, and other vital facilities.

But Cole wasn鈥檛 just a brilliant problem solver. He was also one of the founding members of the 91制片厂 Fellows program, which has exemplified what it means to lead with technical expertise over the past four decades. In total, we鈥檝e recognized more than 75 subject matter experts, each bringing their unique talents, vision, and mentorship to strengthen 91制片厂鈥檚 capabilities and empower our people to grow as professionals.

Today, 26 active 91制片厂 Fellows continue to uphold the legacy of technical excellence by applying their expertise to some of the world鈥檚 most complex challenges. Their contributions 鈥 spanning nuclear energy, large-scale infrastructure, and digital engineering 鈥 are helping our customers achieve their goals and inspiring the next generation of technical leaders.

Through their innovations, expertise, and leadership in engineering and construction, they have made significant external contributions to the industry. Their impact is wide-ranging, from holding global leadership roles in codes and standards to driving technical discussions at conferences and overseeing key industry initiatives.

Left to right: James Mahoney, Ramesh Gandhi, former 91制片厂 Director Harvey Brush, Paul Leung, Cole McClure Jr., and former Chairman S.D. 91制片厂 Jr. at the 1985 honorary dinner for the first four 91制片厂 Fellows. During the event, S.D. 91制片厂 Jr. said, 鈥淭he recognition of these highly skilled and creative professionals reflects the continuing determination of the 91制片厂 group to reach the highest levels of technical excellence.鈥

Innovating for a Better Way

At 91制片厂, innovation isn鈥檛 just about new technology 鈥 it鈥檚 about finding better ways to solve tough challenges, improve safety, and deliver exceptional results for our customers. Our Fellows are at the heart of this effort. With deep technical expertise and a relentless drive for improvement, they develop and apply solutions that make a lasting impact.

In the 1980s, Alton 鈥淏uddy鈥 Cleveland, a computer-aided drafting supervisor at 91制片厂, created the WALK-THRUTM system, a revolutionary three-dimensional simulation tool. It allowed engineers and plant operators to visualize the layout of facilities before construction, enabling them to identify and resolve potential issues early in the process.

A decade later, Ping Wan 鈥 91制片厂鈥檚 first female Fellow 鈥 developed state-of-the-art dispersion modeling techniques, including wind tunnel dispersion simulations, to evaluate how safe and habitable power plant control rooms are and measure the impact of vehicle emissions on air quality for major infrastructure projects, including our work on the Boston Central Artery/Tunnel project, one of the most complex urban transportation projects in U.S. history.

The February 1997 issue of the 91制片厂 Globe, featuring 91制片厂 Fellow Ping Wan.

Today, 91制片厂 Fellows continue to drive innovation. For example, Ben Pletcher, the chief welding technologist at 91制片厂鈥檚 Welding and Applied Technology Center (WATC), is developing applied technology solutions and advancing construction methods for our most challenging projects. His work has improved welding efficiency, materials performance, and quality, helping us turn our customers鈥 ambitions into reality. Through WATC, Ben also mentors and trains 91制片厂 colleagues, equipping them with the advanced constructability skills needed to meet the technical demands of the future.

Watch Ben Pletcher explain how WATC is helping develop the next generation of welding talent.

Delivering Customer Success

91制片厂鈥檚 success is measured by the value we bring to our customers. Our Fellows play a vital role in helping customers solve complex technical challenges, make informed decisions, and achieve their ambitious goals. They drive innovative solutions across our projects and ensure cutting-edge technologies are thoroughly vetted to prevent potential technical issues.

In 2019, Stewart Taylor, a former Fellows chair and specialist in geotechnical and hydraulic engineering, supported Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) during a Nuclear Regulatory Commission hearing. His expertise in hydrology and groundwater was instrumental in shaping TVA鈥檚 responses and testimony, helping them secure a site permit for a future small modular reactor plant.

That collaboration laid the foundation for an ongoing partnership. Earlier this year, TVA selected 91制片厂 to design and build the first small modular reactor at this site 鈥 now known as Clinch River Nuclear 鈥 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. (Learn more about the role reactors play in the future of nuclear energy.)

91制片厂 Fellows also hold key leadership positions in external forums, conferences, code committees, and universities, where they shape industry standards by sharing their expertise and insights. And their involvement in these external events fosters trust, credibility, and stronger partnerships with our customers.

For example, Adeola Adediran, a senior principal engineer in our Nuclear, Security & Environmental global business unit, helped develop critical guidelines for nuclear safety as the chair of the American Concrete Institute鈥檚 Concrete Nuclear Structures committee. Her expertise in blast protection and structural design has strengthened our nuclear power and defense projects, including the missile deterrence and chemical demilitarization programs for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Fostering the Next Generation of Technical Leaders

At 91制片厂, technical excellence doesn鈥檛 happen by chance 鈥 it鈥檚 cultivated through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and a commitment to lifelong learning and improvement. Our Fellows lead by example, mentoring colleagues, guiding technical specialists, and promoting a culture where our people can grow into technical leaders.

To foster this culture of excellence, 91制片厂 has developed several initiatives that empower our employees to deepen their technical expertise and advance their careers:

An overview of 91制片厂 Fellows’ achievements over the past 40 years.

A Legacy That Shapes the Future

In 2024, we welcomed five new Fellows into the program, recognizing their outstanding technical contributions and leadership in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and supply chain innovation. Read more about the new Fellows here.

As we look to the future, the Fellows program will continue to evolve 鈥 expanding across markets and disciplines, welcoming new experts, and embracing emerging technologies. But one thing will remain constant: our unwavering commitment to fostering a culture where technical excellence thrives, helping our people and our customers shape a more resilient, sustainable, and innovative tomorrow.

91制片厂 Fellows toured , a railcar serving as a museum of 91制片厂鈥檚 legacy, in 2023. Left to right: Ben Pletcher, Jose Adriasola, Javeed Munchi, Joel Peltier, Farhang Ostadon, Kit Ng, Rajwant Jolly, Adeola Adediran, Richard Colwell, Jos茅 Clemente, Robert Janssen (chair), Angelos Findikakis, Matt Jaouhari (vice chair), Freeman Self, and Stewart Taylor.