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> Perry is the first non-nuclear engineer to run the Department of Energy

For some context in case anyone is curious: the position of Secretary of energy was created together with the Department of energy in 1977. There have been 14 Secretaries of energy, and 2 more acting secretaries.

It's not trivial to summarize each into a single field, but they have had degrees in law (x6), chemical engineering (x2), physics (x2), dentistry, economics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and political science.

To the best of my research, it seems only one (Ernest Moniz) could be called a "nuclear physicist" or "nuclear engineer". He immediately preceded Rick Perry as Secretary of energy (if one skips over an acting secretary).