George Westinghouse’s vision of solving global challenges through innovation and efficiency continues to inspire. For over 135 years, Westinghouse employees across the world have carried this legacy forward, driving technological progress and groundbreaking advancements not only for our company but for our customers around the world and the nuclear industry.
The contributions of our more than 11,000 employees not only reinforce Westinghouse’s position as an industry leader but also create a tangible, positive impact on people’s lives. That’s why we honor their achievements during the annual George Westinghouse Signature Awards (GWSA). For more than 30 years, this program has celebrated the distinguished leaders who have propelled Westinghouse’s growth.
This year, 282 employees supporting 35 projects were recognized with a GWSA for their work across our business units and global locations. These employees supported our advanced reactor technology, delivered nuclear fuel critical to Europe’s energy security, solved complex challenges at operating nuclear plants across the world … and much more. We thank them for their continued commitment to Westinghouse, our customers and the nuclear industry.
Rick Easterling (left) accepts his Lifetime Achievement Award from Luca Oriani, Westinghouse Long-term Operations President (right).
Alongside our GWSAs, we also recently announced the recipient of the 2024 George Westinghouse Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors an employee who has dedicated their career to fostering innovation, integrity and servant leadership. Our 2024 recipient – Rick Easterling – was selected for his proven technical excellence, keen business acumen and unwavering commitment to the development of others and the overall nuclear industry.
Rick’s career spanned more than 40 years, during which he held diverse, technical roles and global assignments at Westinghouse. At the time of his retirement in 2024, he served as senior vice president (SVP) at the Springfields Fuel Manufacturing site in the U.K. His other notable positions included Chief Quality Officer, Senior Vice President of Engineering for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Vice President of AP1000 Engineering.
Rick’s willingness to take on the most challenging assignments and consistently deliver results has been a hallmark of his career. His unique ability to combine technical expertise with strategic, analytical skills to solve customers’ most pressing issues – while delivering practical and successful engineering solutions – is one of the many reasons for Westinghouse’s prominent role in the nuclear industry today.
Even more impressive is that he did this while uplifting and supporting those around him, serving as a brilliant example of servant leadership and prioritizing mentorship of the next generation of engineers and industry professionals. Rick’s humility, honesty, fairness and integrity were evident in everything he accomplished as a leader at Westinghouse, and we thank him for his dedication to the company and the global nuclear industry.
