Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) in Pullman announced leadership changes this week as founder Ed Schweitzer steps down from the role of president to focus on mentoring and innovation.

Dave Whitehead, the company’s CEO, will now take on the position of President, while Joey Nestegard has been promoted to Executive Vice President. Both leaders are graduates of Washington State University, similar to Schweitzer.

Schweitzer, who founded SEL in 1984 and is recognized as an innovator in the electric power industry, will remain with the company as Founder. He expressed his desire to contribute more in roles such as mentor, inventor, collaborator, and teacher.

Whitehead has been with SEL since 1994, previously serving as Chief Operating Officer and leading the company’s Research & Development division. Nestegard, who joined SEL in 2002, played a role in the company’s transition to 100% employee ownership in 2009.

SEL develops technology for the power industry and currently employs nearly 7,000 people.