John C. Acklen is a principal technical leader at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). He holds BA and MA degrees in anthropology from Rhodes College and the University of New Mexico and is a registered professional archaeologist. Acklen manages the Transmission and Distribution Environmental Issues program at EPRI. Current areas of research include tools to effectively manage PCBs, wood pole disposal, integrated vegetation management (IVM) techniques and biodiversity, environmental issues associated with transmission line siting and resource protection during construction and maintenance, environmental applications for small unmanned aerial systems (drones), and the development of tools to reduce avian and other animal interactions at utility facilities.