BAXLEY, GA, August 29, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Ralph Edward Steger, MA, with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Mr. Steger celebrates many years' experience in his professional network and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. 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's distinguished career spans more than five decades, marked by innovation, leadership and a steadfast commitment to public safety and agricultural advancement. He has experience in metal fabrication, plastics rotational molding, blow molding, plastic casting, thermoforming, vinyl dipping, compression molding, heat sealing, and other technologies. Since 2021, he has served as the operations manager and designer at Pecan Pro LLC, where he leads the development, manufacturing and distribution of automated nut-shelling equipment. Mr. Steger's flagship product, the Krak-N-Blo machine, is designed to empower pecan growers by providing an affordable alternative to large-scale shelling operations. The machine's success has extended beyond the U.S., with units sold internationally in countries such as South Africa, Peru, Mexico, Israel and Australia. Its versatility has also been demonstrated in hazelnut processing, further broadening its impact within the agricultural sector.

Before launching Pecan Pro LLC, Mr. Steger enjoyed a remarkable career in engineering that began in 1967. His most recent role, from 2013 to 2016, was as a senior product development engineer at Kent Sporting Goods Company Inc., where he contributed to the design and regulatory compliance of personal flotation devices. Between 2011 and 2013, Mr. Steger held the position of product development engineer at Mustang Survival. There, he advanced the design and testing of life-saving equipment for marine environments in the U.S. and Canada.

Among other notable roles, Mr. Steger was the director of PFD research and testing at IMANNA Laboratory, the director of engineering at The Coleman Company Inc., a division of Jarden (formerly Stearns, Inc.), and the director of product development at Stearns Inc., where he was pivotal in shaping industry standards for PFDs. Earlier, he was vice president of engineering and quality assurance at Kent Sporting Goods Company Inc., Blacksheep Inc., J-Sport Inc., and Full Throttle Apparel Co., where he implemented quality control systems that elevated product reliability across multiple brands.

Mr. Steger's early career included serving as a quality assurance supervisor in the remittance banking mail department at Continental Illinois Bank and Trust Company from 1967 to 1969, followed by his position as an engineering associate at Western Electric Company until 1976. Mr. Steger's technical acumen was also evident as a U.S. expert witness on the ISO TC 188/SC 1 Committee, which developed international standards for buoyancy aids, life jackets, and immersion suits.

Mr. Steger earned an associate degree in electronic engineering from DeVry Institute of Technology in Chicago in 1969, followed by a bachelor's degree in electronic engineering technology at Ohio Technical College in Columbus in 1973 and a master's degree in management and supervision from Central Michigan University in 1975. Beyond his education, he co-founded and served as the first president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association/Personal Flotation Device Manufacturer's Association, was the first to serve as the chair of the PFD division within Industrial Fabrics Association International, and is active with the Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas Pecan Growers Associations, all contributing to his ongoing success and ability to remain at the forefront of industry trends.

Civically involved, Mr. Steger values his relationship with Sandhill Creek Baptist Church where he taught Sunday school classes and children's Bible school. He also speaks before local civic groups.

A prolific contributor to industry knowledge sharing, Mr. Steger has authored and co-authored several articles, some of which have been presented before various professional groups. He presented technical analysis at the University of Georgia and USDA workshops on pecan cracking and shelling. He has also contributed technical articles for Small Craft Advisory and to publications by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Throughout his career in engineering and manufacturing, Mr. Steger has been credited with saving countless lives through innovations in water safety. He is recognized as the inventor of the first U.S. Coast Guard-approved hybrid and fully inflatable life jackets, among numerous other patented advancements. Mr. Steger was notably featured in Outdoor Life Magazine's "Puff-Up Preservers" in 1986, was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow in 1998, and received a Presidential Citation from Hazlehurst Rotary Club for his civic contributions.

Looking ahead, Mr. Steger intends to continue expanding Pecan Pro LLC while developing an effective succession plan to encourage greater involvement from future generations within his family business. He also seeks a broader international reach for his shelling machines through ongoing collaborations with national representatives. Mr. Steger hopes his legacy will be defined by an unwavering dedication to creating reliable products that protect lives, primarily through advancements in personal flotation devices, and by empowering agricultural producers through accessible technology that enhances profitability without requiring large-scale investment.

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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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