Bio of Kate Jackson

Kathryn J. Jackson, Ph.D.
Tennessee Valley Authority
400 W. Summit Hill Dr.
Knoxville, TN
865-632-3141

Kate Jackson is Executive Vice President in charge of River System Operations & Environment. She is responsible for the operation of TVA’s integrated river management system which includes 29 hydro-electric facilities and 49 dams and 14 locks which provide for flood control and navigation across 7 states. Other duties include watershed management, public lands, water quality, recreation and wildlife protection. Dr. Jackson is the Environmental Executive for the agency, responsible for development of environmental policy and strategy as well as all of TVA’s research and development.

Before joining TVA in 1991, Dr. Jackson completed a fellowship at the National Academy of Engineering. Previously, she worked for both Westinghouse Electric Corporation and Alcoa Industries in various positions including design engineer, project/marketing engineer, and technology forecaster.

Dr. Jackson received her Ph.D. in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University (1990); an M.S. in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University (1987); an M.S. in Industrial Engineering Management from the University of Pittsburgh (1983); and a B.S. in Physics from Grove City College (1979).

From 1997-1999, Dr. Jackson served as a Presidential appointee to the National Recreation Lakes Study Commission and as the TVA representative to the President’s National Science and Technology Council. She is a member of the EPRI Research Advisory Committee, chairs The University of Tennessee Joint Institute for Energy and Environment and was recently appointed to advisory boards for Carnegie Mellon University and Vanderbilt University.

In 1999 Dr. Jackson received the Upward Mobility Award from the Society of Women Engineers and in 1996 received the Arthur S. Flemming Award for excellence in public service.