The National Academy of Construction (NAC) has selected Deborah (Deb) L. Grubbe (HDR 2010) as the 2025 recipient of the Ted C. Kennedy Award, the Academy’s highest honor. She will receive the award and the accompanying medal at the NAC Annual Meeting on October 30 in Colorado Springs, CO, during the Academy’s Annual Meeting.

The award honors late industry leader Ted C. Kennedy, founder of BE&K. Criteria for the award and medal are based on Kennedy’s character and includes commitment to people; obsession with safety; integrity and ethics; championing innovation; a lifetime of achievement; breadth of experience; leadership; generosity; and support of the greater community.

Grubbe is owner and president of Operations and Safety Solutions, Inc. She is a distinguished engineering alumnus of Purdue University, which awarded her an honorary PhD in 2010. She has over 30 years of demonstrated results in engineering management, operations turnarounds, and safety leadership for the process industries. She is a former Vice President of Group Safety for BP and before that had a distinguished career at DuPont.

“In my work with DuPont, I had the chance to participate in several meetings with Ted Kennedy. His insight into people and his caring for his employees serve as an example for business leaders everywhere. My interactions with him makes this award even more special.” she said in a recent interview. “I am honored to support the ongoing work of NAC to help our nation in safely building a better future for us all. And, to those who may be considering a career in our industry -- there is nothing more satisfying than driving by a facility and telling your family, “I helped to build that.””

“Throughout her remarkable career, Deb Grubbe has elevated the standards of safety, service, leadership and engineering excellence across our industry.” said Christine Keville, NAC Chair. “Her unwavering commitment, from transforming practices at DuPont and BP to advising NASA in one of its most challenging chapters, reflects the very qualities the Ted C. Kennedy Award was created to honor. We are proud to recognize Deb’s extraordinary contributions and lifelong dedication to advancing our profession.”

Edd Gibson, CEO/President of the Academy, noted Grubbe’s remarkable achievements in industry. “Deb’s focus on safety in her career, in influencing academia, and her safety focus at NAC has saved countless lives.  Her career provides a great role model for those who follow,” he said. “She is incredibly deserving of this honor.”

Grubbe was inducted into NAC in 2013, and she was elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in 2023. She is the current national president of the United Engineering Foundation (UEF) and a past President of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). She is a fellow in AIChE and the Institute of Chemical Engineers (UK), State of Delaware Engineer of the Year and many other honors.  Her work with NASA after the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster is particularly notable. NASA recognized her with its Distinguished Public Service Medal in 2012.

She has served on the Purdue University College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council, the Engineering Advisory Council for Rowan University, and participates with the Advisory Council for the Advanced Safety and Engineering Management Master’s Program at the University of Alabama–Birmingham.  She is former president of the Chesapeake Bay Girl Scout Council and past board member of the YWCA of Delaware.

Grubbe now joins 14 other Kennedy Award recipients: Ted C. Kennedy; James L. Lammie; Richard L. Tucker; James B. Porter, Jr.; James G. Slaughter, Jr.; David J. Nash; Joseph A. Ahearn; Henry J. Hatch; Charles B. Thomsen; Janice L. Tuchman; Harold Adams; Dominick M. Servedio, Thomas F. Gilbane and Michael K. Loose.

Source: National Academy of Construction