John W. Rowe, Chairman Emeritus of Exelon Corporation, is the 2012 recipient of the United States Energy Award, an honor given annual to an outstanding energy leader in recognition of their leadership initiatives and contributions to the global understanding of energy issues.

Rowe led Exelon since its formation in 2000 through the merger of PECO Energy and the parent of Commonwealth Edison. John Rowe retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Exelon on March 12, 2012, following the merger of Exelon with Constellation Energy. Rowe previously held Chief Executive Officer positions at the New England Electric System and Central Maine Power Company, served as general counsel of Consolidated Rail Corporation, and was a partner in the law firm of Isham, Lincoln & Beale. Rowe is a former Chairman of the Nuclear Energy Institute and the Edison Electric Institute. He was Co-Chairman of the National Commission on Energy Policy and serves on the Secretary of Energy’s Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future. He is the lead Independent Director of the Northern Trust Company and a member of the Board of Directors of Allstate.

Under Rowe’s leadership, New England Electric System became one of the original four U.S. investor-owned electric utilities to participate in the U.S. Agency for International Development/United States Energy Association Utility Partnership Program. New England Electric System was a partner with the Hungarian utility, then known as MVMRT. Later, at Commonwealth Edison, Rowe was instrumental in continuing that company’s partnership with the Polish Power Grid.

Rowe is committed to a wide variety of civic activities, with a focus on education and diversity. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Field Museum of Natural History, Chairman of the Illinois Institute of Technology and President of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. He is a former Chairman of the Commercial Club of Chicago and the Chicago History Museum. He is a member of the board of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and the Morgridge Institute for Research. Rowe and his wife, Jeanne, established the Rowe Family Charitable Trust.

Rowe has been widely recognized for his civic and professional leadership. Recent awards include the Misericordia Heart of Mercy Award (2010), the Edison Electric Institute Distinguished Leadership Award (2009), election as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences (2009), the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Global Leadership Award (2009), the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce’s Daniel H. Burnham Award for Business and Civic Leadership (2008), the Junior Achievement’s Chicago Business Hall of Fame (2008), Illinois Holocaust Museum’s Humanitarian Award (2008), Civic Federation of Chicago’s Lyman Gage Award for Outstanding Civic Leadership (2008) and the National Latino Education Institute Corporate Leadership Award (2008).