Dr. Dan Arvizu Inducted Into U.S. News STEM Leadership Hall of Fame

    MONTEREY PARK, CA, June 17, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) is proud to announce that its board member, Dr. Dan Arvizu is among the 2013 U.S. News STEM Leadership Hall of Fame inductees. Dr. Arvizu is the Director and Chief Executive of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Chairman of the National Science Board.

The U.S. News STEM Leadership Hall of Fame recognizes individuals for their national leadership in advancing a STEM agenda among educators, corporate America, the military, federal agencies, politicians and their local communities.

Dr. Arvizu is a leading, global expert on renewable and sustainable energy. Since 2005, as director of NREL, he has overseen an R&D budget with a contract value of over $2.5B. In 2010, Dr. Arvizu was reappointed by President Barack Obama to a second 6-year term, on the National Science Board, which is the governing board of the National Science Foundation, and the national science policy advisory to the President and Congress. In 2012, he was elected as Chairman of the National Science Board.

Dr. Arvizu has been a long time advocate of GMiS and a board member since 2000. "Dr. Arvizu is one of those rare talents who combines a world-class mind, technical expertise, and a well-grounded managerial approach," states Ray Mellado, CEO and Chairman of GMiS. "Throughout his entire ascent to the very top of his profession, Dan has never forgotten his community roots. He has been an extremely valuable GMiS Board member, and remains a true role model for this country."

Dr. Arvizu joins the class of honorees, which includes Ray Mellado, who was inducted in 2012. Mr. Mellado has led GMiS through significant growth over the past 25 years, encompassing a broad range of recognition and educational programs from the elementary school to the executive echelons. In October 2013, Great Minds in STEM will celebrate its 25th Anniversary, at the HENAAC Conference, in New Orleans.

Dr. Arvizu will be honored, along with the other honorees, at the Awards Luncheon, during the U.S. News STEM Solutions 2013 National Conference, in Austin, Texas. The luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, June 19, 2013, from 12:15 PM - 2:15 PM, at the Austin Convention Center.

About Great Minds in STEM
Great Minds in STEM is an education, national 501c3 nonprofit, whose vision is to be a national leader in keeping America technologically strong by promoting science, technology, engineering and math careers especially in underserved communities. Now, in its 25th year, it remains the only national entity, which has consistently recognized the esteemed technical achievements of STEM role models through a selective, peer-reviewed process. For more information, please contact Julie Magallanes-Guevara, Manager of Public Affairs at (213) 435-9934 or (323) 262-0997 ext. 628 and visit the Great Minds in STEM website at www.greatmindsinstem.org.

# # #