Dr. Andrew Nelson, Director of the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), was appointed to the Senior Executive Service (SES) of the U.S. federal government, effective December 15, 2024. An induction ceremony was held for Nelson in the Shaffer Auditorium at CERL on February 28, 2025.
This appointment recognizes Dr. Nelson's leadership, technical expertise, and dedicated service to the federal government.
Nelson is an adjunct professor in environmental engineering and science with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from CEE at Illinois and also holds a B.A. in Physics from Illinois Wesleyan University. His contributions to the field have been recognized through multiple honors, including the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the ERDC R&D Achievement Award, which highlight his outstanding achievements in research and development.
The SES, established by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, ensures that the U.S. government’s executive management is responsive to the nation’s needs, policies, and goals. SES members, who play a critical role in overseeing the activities of approximately 75 federal agencies, are considered key leaders just below presidential appointees, bridging the gap between these political appointees and the federal workforce.
SES members possess strong executive skills and a broad understanding of government operations, grounded in a commitment to public service. They are essential to driving the effectiveness and efficiency of federal programs across all sectors.
“I’m honored to be selected to serve in the Senior Executive Service and look forward to building on CERL’s outstanding reputation and relevance over the past 55 years,” said Nelson. “I will keep working hard to elevate the outstanding work of the CERL team and ensure that we provide research outcomes to address the most pressing needs of the Army and our Nation.”
Co-located with the University of Illinois, and with facilities across the country, CERL is ERDC’s premier center for developing technologies that provide high-quality facilities and realistic training lands to the Department of Defense (DoD). It is part of a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel working together to take groundbreaking research projects from start to finish. From 3D printing concrete buildings to creating energy and water plans for installations to developing robotics for engineering operations, CERL provides the critical assets that installations need to execute their military mission.
As CERL Director, Dr. Nelson oversees a team of about 350 staff, guiding research initiatives focused on critical areas such as energy, materials, structures, and warfighter engineering. His work has led to groundbreaking energy-efficient solutions and research addressing the environmental and operational challenges facing the military.
Nelson’s career at ERDC has been marked by numerous leadership positions. Before becoming the CERL Director, he served as the CERL Technical Director for Infrastructure Science and Engineering, Director of the ERDC International Research Office in London, and Chief of the CERL Energy Branch.
This SES appointment reflects Dr. Nelson’s long-standing commitment to advancing research and development in support of national priorities. His leadership will continue to have a significant impact on the Army’s engineering and environmental initiatives, ensuring the delivery of innovative solutions to meet the nation’s defense and infrastructure needs.