Marquis Who’s Who Honors Ralph E. Steger, MA, for Expertise in Manufacturing and Production
Ralph E. Steger, MA, is a distinguished engineer and water safety expert with more than 55 years of experience
His innovative spirit led to the development of a pecan shelling machine that gained national and international acclaim.
BAXLEY, GA, March 20, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — Ralph E. Steger, MA, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Steger, a retired engineer and operations manager, has made significant contributions to the fields of engineering and water safety. His career began in 1967 as a quality assurance supervisor at Continental Illinois Bank and Trust Company. He then transitioned to Western Electric Company in 1969 as an engineering associate, where he honed his skills in electronic engineering. In 1976, he joined Eagle Rubber Company Inc. as a project engineer, further developing his expertise in product development.
In 1980, Mr. Steger became the assistant vice president at Ero Industries Inc., where he served for nearly a decade before moving to Kent Sporting Goods Company Inc. as vice president of engineering and quality assurance in 1989. His tenure at Hedstrom Corp. Ero-Coral Division from 1994 to 2000 as director of engineering marked a period of innovation, during which he secured several patents for flotation devices and trampoline pad assemblies.
Mr. Steger’s role as director of product development at Stearns Inc., later acquired by The Coleman Company, spanned from 2000 to 2010. During this time, he was instrumental in the creation of life-saving personal flotation devices, earning him recognition for his contributions to water safety. His work continued at IMANNA Laboratory as director of PFD research and testing in 2010 and at Mustang Survival as a product development engineer from 2011 to 2013. He concluded his engineering career at Kent Sporting Goods Company Inc. as a senior product development engineer until his retirement in 2016.
After retiring, Mr. Steger embarked on a new venture with Pecan Pro LLC, where he serves as operations manager. His innovative spirit led to the development of a pecan shelling machine that gained national and international acclaim. This endeavor reflects his commitment to excellence and ingenuity in both engineering and agriculture.
Mr. Steger’s academic background includes a master’s degree in management and supervision from Central Michigan University in 1975, a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering technology from Ohio Technical College in 1973 and an associate degree in electronic engineering from DeVry Institute of Technology in 1969. These educational achievements laid the foundation for his successful career in engineering and product development.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Steger is actively involved in civic organizations such as Sandhill Creek Baptist Church and has been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. He has shared his expertise through presentations at the International Conference on Drowning in Amsterdam and the International Boating and Water Safety Summit.
In his personal life, Mr. Steger cherishes spending time with his wife and their three children. He also enjoys teaching Sunday school and studying the Bible. Looking ahead, he plans to expand Pecan Pro LLC while developing a succession plan for the business, hoping that his grandchildren will take an interest in continuing his legacy.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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