Susan Jensen, PhD, CDP

Dr. Jensen is SDP’s Director of Training and recipient of SDP’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. While at the Surface Transportation Board, the successor agency to the Interstate Commerce Commission, she developed and implemented depreciation policies and procedures for freight railroads; reviewed depreciation studies submitted by Class I railroads; and analyzed engineering evidence in cases brought before the STB. Prior to joining the STB, Susan was on the engineering faculty of Iowa State University, where she earned a doctorate in Engineering Valuation. After earning an M.A. in Mathematics at Western Michigan University, she was appointed Assistant Dean of WMU’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. She taught utility regulation in Dr. Chet Fitch’s Depreciation Programs, Inc., where she had the good fortune to work with Mr. Robley Winfrey, the prime developer of the Iowa Curves. Her B.A. in Mathematics is from Butler University where she graduated summa cum laude with High Honors in Mathematics and was honored as one of its Top Ten Students.  Dr. Jensen has held every SDP office and been its Director of Training since its inception in 2003. She also directed the development of SDP’s Certified Depreciation Professional program and CDP Exam. She served as a committee chair for the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association and was an author and editor of NARUC’s Public Utility Depreciation Practice.