Title: Associate Division Chief for Statutory Programs
Company: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Location: Lawrence, Kansas, United States
Steven L. McCabe, associate division chief for statutory programs at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Engineers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in earthquake engineering.
With over five decades of experience to his credit, Mr. McCabe has excelled in the field of engineering. Currently, he is the associate division chief for Statutory Programs: Windstorm, Earthquake, and Disaster and Failure Studies at NIST. In this role, he oversees and manages the budget for three statutory programs enacted by Congress: the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, which aims to reduce the effect of wind on various structures; the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP), which focuses on reducing an earthquakes’ impact on a national level; and the Disaster and Failure Studies Program, which is more specifically related to studying the effects of building collapse.
Mr. McCabe has served as the associate division chief for statutory programs since 2022, director of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program since 2017, and deputy director of the NEHRP since 2011. Additionally, he held the position of research structural engineer and group leader for the Earthquake Engineering Group from 2015 to 2018. Prior to this, he held the position of chief executive officer of the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation Consortium Inc. from 2007 to 2010.
Additionally, Mr. McCabe was a faculty member and professor of structural engineering at The University of Kansas from 1985 to 2007 and is currently a professor emeritus of structural engineering at the university, a role he has held since 2007. He began his career as a project stress engineer with Black & Veatch Holding Company from 1978 to 1981. In addition, he is a member of professional organizations, including the American Society of Civil Engineers and The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Before embarking on his professional path, Mr. McCabe pursued an education at Colorado State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 1972, followed by a Master of Science in mechanical engineering in 1974. He continued his academic efforts, earning a PhD in civil engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1987 and as a Fulbright Scholar with the Norwegian Institute of Technology in Trondheim from 1995 to 1996. He is also a licensed professional engineer in Kansas and Colorado.
One of Dr. McCabe’s most notable achievements is his contribution to the development of Executive Order 13717, signed by President Obama. The order mandates all federal agencies to assess their building inventories to ensure the safety of occupants during an earthquake and requires agencies to make informed decisions on whether to retrofit, retire, demolish, sell, or otherwise remove these buildings from their inventory.
Dr. McCabe attributes his success to his unwavering dedication over 40 years to studying the structural performance of earthquakes, a field he is deeply passionate about. His ultimate goal is to enhance building performance to prevent widespread casualties and deaths. Despite the constant challenge of securing sufficient funding to conduct proper research and implement solutions, he remains resolute in his determination to find ways to improve and make a significant impact in the field of earthquake engineering.
Looking ahead, Dr. McCabe is focused on the reauthorization of critical statutory programs, with Congress currently considering bills for both earthquake and wind initiatives. He emphasizes the importance of passing and adequately funding these bills to ensure their effectiveness. He is dedicated to securing the necessary legislative support and financial resources for these programs and remains committed to advocating for their successful implementation.
For more information, please visit:
Contact Dr. McCabe:
