Steven Lien, a 1977 graduate of Lake Superior State College (now LSSU) with a B.S. degree in electrical engineering technology and an associate degree in computer engineering technology, was the recipient of the 2025 Special Achievement Award, part of the Montrose Athletic and Community Hall of Fame Awards presented on August 16, 2025. Lien is also a 1973 graduate of Montrose High School in Montrose, Michigan. After an incredible 33-year career with Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas), Lien retired in 2010 as an associate technical Fellow, a distinction granted to only one percent of 170,000 engineers.
Lien spent the first 10 years on the F-15 fighter program, splitting time in the electrical group and tactical electronic warfare systems, which included a three-year assignment in Japan. For the next 23 years, Lien worked as a technology research and development project engineer, focusing on advanced warfare and aviation technology. His work with the Pentagon provided security clearance to work with every branch of military service. He worked with sophisticated next-generation military aircraft systems including commercial aircraft, tactical aircraft and helicopters, surveillance platforms, missile defense, Navy surface ships, missile defense, space-related programs, counterterrorism, and homeland security.
Nan & Steven Lien
Two U.S. patents are held by Lien for Behavioral Translation of Datalink Messages Between Different Protocols and Platforms and a Dynamic Fusion Patent, and he has published three papers. Lien is involved in community service by caring for troops assigned to Fort Leonard Wood and has accrued over 4,000 volunteer hours transporting patients for Coxhealth Medical Facilities. Lien has been a recurring speaker on the LSSU campus and other colleges, guiding undergraduate students on how he used his education in his career.
Lien lives in Halfway, Mo., with his wife Nan. He is the father of two married sons, Jimmy and Bobby, and six grandchildren.
Click here to learn more about Steve Lien’s career with Boeing.