Todd Ailes
Chief Operating Officer, Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS)
Todd Ailes is the chief operating officer for Consolidated Nuclear Security, the management and operating contractor for the Y12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. In this role, he oversees the administrative and operational functions of Y12 that has a workforce of approximately 9,500.
Prior to his return to CNS in 2025, he was the manager for the Bechtel Pueblo Team, the systems contractor for the Pueblo Chemical AgentDestruction Pilot Plant in Colorado, where he served as a project manager and provided leadership as the project completed destruction of chemical weapons and transitioned to closure of the site.
Before joining PCAPP project in November 2021, Ailes was the site manager for the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, which was under the CNS contract. He spent 15 years at Pantex and served as the vice president of plant operations and site manager, overseeing daily aspects of the plant.
He spent 5 years at the Kansas City Plant before joining Pantex and was responsible for production scheduling and manufacturing operations of nuclear weapon components. Prior to that, he spent 12 years with the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Program and gained knowledge of nuclear plant operations, nuclear production, and weapons manufacturing. He has extensive experience with operations and weapons systems, including product development and funding/scheduling analysis.
Ailes has an A.S. degree in nuclear technologies from Regents College, a B.S. in human resources management from New School University, and an M.S. in business administration from the University of Missouri.
Naomi Asher
Founder and CEO, The Maven Consulting
Naomi Asher is the founder of The Maven Consulting LLC, a leadership speaker and coach serving organizations across many sectors. With 18+ years of executive and board leadership, she specializes in change management, team communication, and burnout prevention. Naomi is a certified Enneagram educator and a PhD candidate researching leadership and burnout, translating evidence-based findings into practical tips leaders can use. She spends time doing strategy facilitation, executive coaching, fundraising readiness, and workforce development initiatives. Naomi has served on city and state boards and partners with nonprofits, industry associations, and growth-stage teams to align goals, reduce conflict, and deliver measurable results. Her passion is speaking on Leading Without Burning Out and mentoring emerging female leaders.
Jeff Bale
Vice President of Operations, RSI
Jeff Bale serves as Vice President of Operations for RSI, where he oversees project execution, performance, and operational strategy across the company’s nuclear, environmental, and technical service portfolios. With more than 28 years of experience at RSI, Jeff is deeply committed to fostering a culture of safety, quality, and innovation in high-consequence mission environments. His technical acumen and hands-on leadership ensure RSI consistently delivers efficient, compliant, and high-value solutions for government and commercial clients nationwide.
Before joining RSI, Jeff served as Field Services Manager for Jacobs Engineering, where he led complex infrastructure, environmental, and industrial projects in demanding field conditions.
Jeff holds a degree in Environmental Sciences from Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking and spending time in Baja, Mexico with his wife, Tiffany, at their vacation home in Todos Santos.
Jeff Barrett
DOE Projects Director, Burns & McDonnell
Jeff is DOE Projects Director at Burns & McDonnell, where he advances mission readiness for DOE and NNSA through enterprise-scale modernization of nuclear-security infrastructure. Over 25 years, he has led full-lifecycle delivery — feasibility through start-up — of multi-site programs in his roles as the Principal of the Cooling and Heating Asset Management Program (CHAMP) and as the Vice President of the Burns & McDonnell subsidiary, Facility Engineering Services, LLC. These programs have encompassed utilities and facilities engineering, construction management, maintenance, and program/project management. Jeff’s experience spans work at NNSA sites, including SNL, LLNL, Pantex, Y-12, LANL, SRS, NNSS, and KCNSC, with a track record of integrating scope, cost, schedule, safety, and security objectives on complex, high-consequence work. Jeff collaborates with DOE headquarters, field offices, and M&O contractors to maintain compliance and mission alignment across portfolios. Recognized by DOE for NNSA-wide program delivery, he leverages degrees in Engineering Management and Biological Systems Engineering to drive disciplined execution and measurable outcomes. His current focus: resilient, sustainable, and scalable infrastructure that supports the evolving DOE/NNSA mission.
Brighton Beck
Director of Proposals and Business Development, Catawba Corporations
Brighton Beck is responsible for Proposal & Business Development activities for Catawba Corporations, a 100% tribally owned, HUBZone company owned by the Catawba Indian Nation. Brighton has spent nearly a decade working with Small Business Administration 8A, Woman Owned, Tribally owned, and HUBZone Small Businesses as well as commercial business entities.
Brighton’s business operations experience includes proposal development, lead generation and management, as well as full life cycle data analytics and reporting. He also has vast experience with trade show and business opportunity events for developing strategies for lead generation, teaming opportunities, and direct sales. Other related experience includes successful entrepreneurial ventures creating and operating a data management and accounts receivable business as well as a logistics and delivery business in the medical industry
Craig Blue
Chief Manufacturing Officer and Program Director, Defense Manufacturing, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
With more than 25 years of experience in materials and manufacturing technologies, Dr. Craig Blue has played a pivotal role in advancing manufacturing in America through thought leadership, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.
Blue’s research and scientific leadership have shaped a vision for advanced manufacturing over two decades. He was the founding director of the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, the nation’s leading facility for advanced manufacturing research and development; and the founding CEO of IACMI—The Composites Institute, an institute within the Manufacturing USA initiative comprising a public-private partnership to increase domestic production capacity, grow manufacturing, and create jobs across the US composites industry with more than 150 members.
In 2020, Blue initiated a national machine tool program, America’s Cutting Edge (ACE), to drive the revitalization of the machine tool industry in the US.
Blue’s scientific focus is materials and manufacturing technologies, fields in which he has authored more than 100 open literature publications, holds 23 US patents, and received numerous awards, including 11 R&D 100 Awards. He was recently selected by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers as one of “25 leaders transforming manufacturing.”
Blue has served by invitation on numerous scientific and technical review panels, committees, and convocations convened by the National Science Foundation, the Council on Competitiveness, Manufacturing USA, and National Academies of Sciences and Engineering. He is an ORNL Corporate Fellow, Battelle Distinguished Inventor, Fellow of American Society for Metals (ASM) International, and a Fellow of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Blue has held adjunct faculty appointments at the University of Tennessee, University of North Texas, and the Colorado School of Mines.
Patrick Brown
Senior Vice President, Field Operations, President, American Centrifuge Operating (ACO), Centrus Energy
Patrick Brown is Senior Vice President, Field Operations and President, American Centrifuge Operating (ACO) at Centrus Energy. He leads Centrus’ efforts designing and manufacturing gas centrifuges at our advanced manufacturing center in Tennessee, as well as HALEU enrichment operations at our American Centrifuge Plant in Ohio.
He brings nearly 30 years of experience across the energy sector, including leadership roles in commercial and military nuclear power, uranium enrichment, electric grid modernization, and strategy consulting. His background spans strategy, transformation, and operations, with a consistent focus on delivering complex energy projects and driving world-class operational performance.
Patrick is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Nuclear Power Program, holds a BS in Nuclear Engineering Technology, an MBA from Tulane University, and an MSc in Major Program Management from the University of Oxford. He is currently completing a PhD at the University of Oxford, where he is researching decentralized energy systems and their role in the energy transition.
Lauren Bruner
Vice President, Nuclear and Environmental Global Security Group, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII)
Lauren E. Bruner is the Vice President of the Nuclear and Environmental portfolio of HII Mission Technologies’ Global Security group, with responsibility for operations and growth efforts for the Department of Energy, new nuclear, ship decommissioning, and international, focused on Australia and the United Kingdom, business areas. Previously, she served as Vice President of Strategy & Integration for HII Mission Technologies’ Nuclear and Environmental Group.
A former Senior Program Analyst at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc., Ms. Bruner supported US Navy Program Executive Officers’ (PEO) strategy and acquisition development and program execution, to include Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), PEO Carriers, PEO Submarines, and PEO Integrated Warfare Systems (IWS).
She is a former US Navy Surface Warfare Officer, holds a Bachelor of Science in Human and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Quinnipiac University, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Cheryl Cabbil
Senior Vice President, Amentum
Cheryl Cabbil is a results-oriented executive and change agent, offering 40 years of experience in executive and leadership positions providing safe, efficient, and compliant high hazard nuclear facility operations, nuclear facility decommissioning and demolition, safeguards and security, emergency management and Environment, Safety, Health (ESH) and Quality Assurance (QA) programs at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) facilities. Ms. Cabbil has demonstrated performance as a Change Agent, directing and managing nuclear facility and laboratory operations, contractor assurance and ESH&QA programs. Her nuclear facility and laboratory operations experience includes providing compliant safety management systems, engineering, readiness and startup, transportation, infrastructure, and utilities support necessary to meet nuclear production schedules and support for research and development activities critical to national defense. Ms. Cabbil manages the Amentum Environment & Defense portfolio of Amentum Department of Energy,
NNSA projects across the US. In 2024, she led the Amentum Integration Management Office, planning the Amentum/Jacobs iCMS merger, which was successfully completed in September 2024.
At Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Ms. Cabbil was responsible for enabling the mission and managing facility operations at LANL—1,100+ buildings and structures including the safe and compliant operation of 11 nuclear facilities (including 6 Category-2 nuclear facilities), non-nuclear facility operations, and utilities. She was also responsible for support divisions that include facility startup and restart; safety basis; nuclear criticality safety; packaging and transportation program; chemical management; fire protection; engineering services; and nuclear facility training. Ms. Cabbil managed a $600M/year budget and a staff of ~1,500 direct and deployed resources.
Ms. Cabbil served as the ESH&QA Manager and Executive Officer of the UCOR, the DOE Environmental Management (EM) cleanup contractor at the Oak Ridge Reservation. She was the UCOR primary interface with state and federal regulatory personnel, and local community stakeholders, consistent with the DOE EM priorities for the Oak Ridge Reservation Cleanup Plan.
Ms. Cabbil was the Senior Vice President (VP) for Energy & Science Solutions at URS Safety Management Solutions (now Amentum Environment & Security) in Aiken, South Carolina. In this role, she managed the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and DOE Energy & Science contracts at four different sites. In addition, she conducted on-site safety and operational reviews for Amentum operations across the DOE Complex.
Her experience included leadership roles at DOE’s Savannah River Site included Deputy Director for Research Operations and Assurance at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), Tritium Area Operations Manager, and various ESH assignments. Ms. Cabbil also served as the URS Project Manager and ESH&QA Manager for CH2M HILL Mound at the Miamisburg Closure Project decommissioning and demolition activities at the former Mound Laboratory.
Katie Cunningham
Project Manager, Technical Services, Engineering Services, Spectra Tech, Inc.
Katie Cunningham is a Project Manager in Technical Services at Spectra Tech, Inc., where she oversees multiple contracts and maintains strong client relationships. Katie has been at Spectra Tech for 3 years and plays a key role in project delivery and client success. Katie also serves on the Board of Directors for ETEBA, and chairs Energize ETEBA, supporting professional development and collaboration across the energy and environmental industries. Katie graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a bachelor’s in education and a minor in Business Administration.
V. Brian D’Andrea
Chairman, TechSource, Inc.
V. Brian D’Andrea serves as the Chairman of the Board for TechSource, Inc., bringing over 30 years of diverse technical, engineering, and managerial expertise. His career spans roles as a senior corporate executive, business unit leader, research and development engineer, national laboratory program analyst, corporate administrator, and Naval Officer. After 19 years as CEO, Brian stepped down on September 30th but continues to lead the company as Chairman of the Board.
A native of West-Central Pennsylvania, Brian graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in engineering and later earned a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He also holds a certification in lean manufacturing from the University of Michigan and was previously a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
In 2001, Brian was appointed Chief Operating Officer of TechSource, tasked with overseeing daily operations, marketing, and client relations for the then-startup consulting firm. Leveraging his extensive management and engineering background, he aimed to transform TechSource from a regional startup into a national leader in nuclear science and engineering technical support services. His efforts culminated in his promotion to CEO in 2006.
Under Brian’s leadership, TechSource has achieved significant recognition. The company has been named to the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing high-tech firms in the U.S. 11 times and has also been honored regionally by New Mexico’s Flying 40 for its rapid growth 11 times. Additionally, TechSource has been recognized as a Best Workplace by both the Albuquerque Journal and The Washington Post. In 2023, the Department of Energy named TechSource its Small Business of the Year. Most recently, in May 2025, Brian and COO Jeff Giangiuli were honored as the State of New Mexico’s Small Business Persons of the Year and as the National Small Business Persons of the Year, First Runner-Up, by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Brian’s 24-year naval career as a Naval Flight Officer provided him with extensive experience in carrier-based aviation operations, specializing in electronic intelligence (ELINT), chemical, biological, and radiological defense systems, major aircraft systems development and acquisition, disaster response and management, and naval systems research.
TechSource, Inc. is a nationally recognized engineering and consulting firm specializing in the management and technical execution of large-scale nuclear and high-technology projects. The company boasts a network of over 500 experts in nuclear sciences, non-proliferation technologies, accelerator physics, and systems engineering. With a client retention rate exceeding 95%, TechSource’s exceptional technical services have solidified its reputation as an industry leader.
Allen Davidson
Director, Business Development, Curtiss-Wright Nuclear
Allen Davidson is a 45 year veteran of the commercial nuclear industry and DOE. The primary focus of his career has been on developing solutions to customer specific and industry-wide issues. Allen’s technical background has focused on safety related hardware, Seismic and EQ testing and Commercial Grade Dedication. He has a degree in Engineering Science from the University of Tennessee. Allen’s early career was spent with Wyle Labs and Patel Engineers. Allen later co-founded EGS Corporation. He continues to support those products and services as Sr. Director of Business Development for Curtiss-Wright Nuclear.
Scott Davies
Contracts Director, Fluor
Scott Davies is a Director II, Contract Management of Fluor Corporation’s Mission Solutions business line. Scott was assigned to the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF) Project in November 2023.
He has 33 years of experience in the delivery of capital projects in multiple industries including Pulp & Paper, Chemical, Power, Infrastructure, Life Science, Manufacturing, and Government. His previous Fluor leadership roles include Contract Management Functional Leader for Industrial & Infrastructure Business Group and Project Procurement Manager or Project Contract Manager for various Project assignments including Life Sciences in Puerto Rico, Infrastructure in Grand Cayman, California, New York, and Power in South Carolina.
Scott has been with Fluor for 23 years. Prior to joining Fluor, he worked for Shelco, Inc. and Rust Engineering and Construction.
He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Clemson University.
He enjoys traveling when possible, working around his house and college football season.
J.D. Dowell
Senior Vice President, Environmental & Nuclear Business Line, Fluor
Jonathan “JD” Dowell is the SVP for nuclear and environmental under the Fluor Mission Solutions Group where he is responsible for Fluor’s government and commercial Operations and Management (M&O) and nuclear Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) business. JD has extensive nuclear project and operations experience across the Departments of War (DOW) and Energy (DOE) and commercially within Fluor.
JD has recently served as Director of Fluor’s Nuclear Power program, President of the Portsmouth DOE D&D cleanup site, and in leading Fluor’s leadership transition at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory. He has also served in Senior Technical Advisory roles and on the Boards of Directors at projects and sites across the domestic portfolio for DOE as well as internationally in the United Kingdom and Canada.
Before joining Fluor, JD served for 8 years as a senior executive directing cleanup efforts across Hanford’s DOE site. Prior to this, he served 26 years in the Navy’s nuclear submarine service. Captain (Ret) Dowell commanded USS ALABAMA as well as NAVSEA’s Naval UNDERSEA Warfare Center in Keyport, Washington. He holds a bachelor’s in engineering from the Georgia Tech and an MBA from the University of Nebraska. With a family history in Tennessee dating back to pre-civil war days, and an uncle who worked Civil Engineering on Oakridge’s part of the Manhattan Project, it is a particular honor to be asked to serve on ETEBA’s panel today.
Patrick Ellis
Director, Business Development, Type One Energy Group, Inc.
Patrick Ellis serves as Director of Business Development at Type One Energy, where he supports partnerships, government relations, and strategic engagement with utilities, industry, and research institutions to develop the world’s first stellarator fusion power plant.
Patrick Flood, P.E.
Senior Advisor, TN Department of Environment and Conservation’s Bureau of Environment
Pat Flood is a Senior Advisor in the TN Department of Environment and Conservation’s Bureau of Environment. In this role, he manages several programs, including TDEC’s oversight of TVA’s Coal Combustion Residual effort. He has a number of technical responsibilities at Oak Ridge, including working on several efforts under the CERCLA clean up effort. He is also a member of ETEC’s Tennessee Nuclear Network (the successor to Governor Lee’s TN Nuclear Energy Advisory Council), serving on the Advocacy, Policy & Regulatory Affairs Committee. In addition, he serves as the Commissioner’s designee on the Underground Storage Tank and Solid Waste Disposal Control Board. Prior to moving to the Bureau of Environment, he served eight years as Director of TDEC’s Division of Solid Waste Management. Prior to joining TDEC, he worked as a consultant in the Solid Waste industry, mainly in the fields of engineering and construction oversight.
He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1982, a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering (specializing in Geotechnical Engineering) from Purdue University in 1986, and received a Master’s in Business Administration from Clemson University in 2001. He has been a registered engineer in fourteen states and also sits on the Professional Engineers Civil Exam Committee for the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.
Christine Gelles
Chief Operating Officer, Longenecker & Associates, Inc.
Christine Gelles has nearly 25 years’ experience in the U.S. DOE. Her core skills include: strategic program planning, policy development and problem solving, project planning, management, budget formulation, execution and review; program management and assessment; comprehensive understanding of environmental laws, regulations and policies, as well as federal budgetary and accounting policy; and extensive knowledge and understanding of the DOE’s waste management and nuclear materials management programs.
John George
Senior Vice President, Buildings and Places, AECOM
John George is the Managing Director for AECOM’s 1,000-person Eastern Region Buildings + Places Business Line which includes Architecture, Building Engineering, Civil Engineering, Planning and Landscape Architecture. Within that practice resides AECOM’s Data Center Design Team as well as a large Federal practice. John’s technical background is in Structural Engineering, including a stint as an adjunct professor at The Ohio State University dept of Civil Engineering.
Steve Giltner
President, Quanta Government Solutions, LLC
Steve Giltner serves as President of Quanta Government Solutions, a Quanta Services company, bringing over 25 years of experience in governmental construction. He is responsible for leading mission-critical programs for various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and the National Nuclear Security Administration, delivering construction-led initiatives across the country. His recent projects include significant work at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Nevada National Security Site, the Pantex Plant, and the Bonneville Power Administration.
Gary Guller
Top of the World Speaker
Gary Guller grew up in England and the US. He has spent most of his life climbing and exploring the world, including dozens of adventures to the Himalaya.
Gary is a record-setting mountaineer, author and keynote speaker, celebrating 15 years of successful presentations and is trusted by the world’s top corporations.
Gary was leader of the most diverse team ever, including those with physical challenges, to reach Mt. Everest Base Camp. After setting this world record, he went on to scale Mt. Everest, and became the first person with one arm to stand on top of the world.
Later the next year, Gary led an expedition to the summit of the world’s 6th highest
mountain, Mt. Cho Oyu, located in Tibet at over 26,000 ft.
Gary also completed the grueling Marathon des Sables in Morocco. This is a 6 day, 250 km endurance race across the Sahara Desert. According to CNN World News, it is the “The hardest stage race in the world.”
Recently, he successfully completed the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii.
Gary was also featured in the award winning documentary, Team Everest: A Himalayan Journey, and is the climbing advisor for the documentary “Sherpa Stew.”
Gary is also, the founder of Make Others Greater, a US 501(c) 3 non-profit – servicing remote area around the world with medical supplies, school supplies and health initiatives.
There is a lot to explore within Gary’s story, especially how we perceive and treat others, and the success that can be achieved as a result.
Rick Holmes
Principal Vice President, Bechtel National Inc.
Rick Holmes is project director of the Uranium Processing Facility Project for Consolidated Nuclear Security, the management and operating contractor for the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. In this role, he directs CNS activities associated with the Uranium Processing Facility, which will support key missions of Y-12 and ensure the long-term viability, safety, and security of enriched uranium capabilities in the United States. Holmes also has been a principal vice president with Bechtel, one of the world’s leading engineering and construction companies, since 2014.
Holmes has more than 30 years of experience in engineering, procurement, construction, and project management at the project and executive levels. He previously was general manager and project site director for Waste Treatment Completion Company, the Bechtel-led limited liability company that operates as a subcontractor the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant in Hanford, Washington. Holmes was responsible for completion of construction, start-up, and cold and hot commissioning of the direct-feed low-activity waste capabilities for the Waste Treatment Plant Construction Project. He also has been responsible for several other facilities, an on-site laboratory, and associated systems and infrastructure.
Holmes joined Bechtel in 1999 and has held various leadership positions, including deputy project manager at the Aberdeen Chemical Demilitarization Project and deputy project manager on the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Project. He served as project manager for the Chemistry Metallurgy Research Replacement Project at Los Alamos National Laboratory and project manager for the Pueblo Chemical Agent- Destruction Pilot Plant in Pueblo, Colorado.
Additionally, Holmes served 10 years as an officer in the U.S. Army. He earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts, and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Florida Southern College.
Isaac Hubbard
Fleet Operations Manager, Interstate Ventures
Isaac Hubbard serves as the Fleet Operations Manager for Interstate Ventures, a specialized carrier focused on the transportation of radioactive materials. In his role, Isaac manages shipments from pickup to delivery, ensuring each move is executed efficiently while meeting strict safety and regulatory standards.
Isaac brings a strong commitment to getting the job done safely and compliantly, while maintaining the high level of reliability his customers have come to expect. He’s proud to represent the next generation of professionals pursuing safety and excellence in the field of radioactive material transport.
DJ Johnson
Vice President and General Manager, Federal Solutions, Honeywell
David “DJ” Johnson is the Vice President for the Federal Solutions Business Enterprise for Honeywell. As the Honeywell Senior Executive for Federal Solutions, DJ serves as the primary interface with federal customers and industry partners. He leads the integration of HON-affiliated sites to drive improved performance. He provides governance leadership through chairmanship and/or membership on several oversight boards for the Limited Liability Companies supporting the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Prior to his current position, DJ served as the Vice President and General Manager for the Defense Systems Customer Business Team. His organization was responsible for overseeing the design, development, production and delivery of products and services that address the specific needs for Honeywell’s defense customers. The Customer Business Team (CBT) acts as the Aerospace single point of contact for Honeywell’s Business-toBusiness relationship with Boeing Defense and Lockheed Martin to include customer demand, order & contract management, quality & delivery performance, customer relationship retention and business optimization.
He has held previous customer-facing business leader roles to include VP/GM for the Aircraft Engine Components which included key aerospace customers such as General Electric, SAFRAN, Pratt & Whitney, United Technologies Aerospace Systems, and Rolls Royce. DJ also served as the VP/GM for the Space Business Segment with Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc. (HTSI). In this role he was responsible for Honeywell’s business serving the Air Force, NASA, NOAA and USGS.
DJ came to Honeywell after 23 years of service in the United States Air Force. His
distinguished Air Force career involved the development, acquisition and operation of command & control systems, computers & communications systems, as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy,
University of Houston – Clear Lake, and the National Defense University. During his 23-year career in active duty with the Air Force, DJ operated dish and phased-array antenna sites in eastern Turkey and North Dakota providing missile warning
operations for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
He has served on the Air Staff and on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon as well as the Chief of Satellite Operations at Air Force Space Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In this position, he oversaw the development and implementation of the next generation command & control systems for operating MILSTAR, DSCS, Advanced EHF and Wideband Global communications satellite programs. From 19961998, he served a tour with the National Reconnaissance Office while assigned to Fort Meade as the Chief of Mission Planning.
In addition to his military expertise, he holds a Bachelors Degree from the United States Air Force Academy and Masters Degrees from the University of HoustonClear Lake and the National Defense University.
Loris Kim
Operations & Commissioning Manager, IKE Program, Orano Enrichment USA
Loris Kim oversees operations and commissioning of the new enrichment facility in Oak Ridge, TN.
Loris started his career in 2006 as a process engineer at the Orano la Hague used nuclear fuel recycling facility. He spent the last 14 years in operations at the nuclear fuel manufacturing facility in Richland, WA.
With a master’s degree in chemical engineering (ENSCM) and a master’s degree in process engineering (Université Montpellier II), Loris completed his education with a master’s in business and management in Paris (ESCP Business School) and in Bangkok (Asian Institute of Technology).
Loris recently moved to Eastern Tennessee with his wife and daughter.
Jason Lawrence
Vice President of Operations, Capital Energy Group (CEG)
Jason Lawrence has over 29 years of experience leading complex projects in the nuclear and chemical industry directed toward operating, decommissioning, deactivating, remediating, and ultimately closing project sites. Mr. Lawrence graduated from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health while working Westlake Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl) high-strength thermoplastic material production in Calvert City, Kentucky. In 1996, he transitioned to the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, where he worked for 17 years in project support and management. The plant’s mission was to enrich uranium for various purposes, including US nuclear weapons production, military nuclear reactors, and nuclear power plants. Uranium enrichment ceased at Paducah in 2013.
Subsequently, he returned to a sister plant of a previous employer, which focused on the production of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), a water-soluble synthetic polymer, in Calvert City, Kentucky. As the Site Services Director, Mr. Lawrence managed the PVOH sites in both Pasadena, Texas and Calvert City, Kentucky. Mr. Lawrence returned to the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in 2015 after it was transferred to the DOE’s Environmental Management programs.
Throughout his career, he primarily worked at Paducah, where he undertook various technical and leadership roles, contributing to the development of a portfolio of processes under multi-million-dollar Department of Energy contracts.
For the past 2 years, Mr. Lawrence has served as Vice President of Operations for Capital Energy Group, LLC (CEG), a woman owned small business enterprise, that was founded by Founded by Jordan and TJ McNamara in 2019 after a novation and purchase of DEMCO.. The CEG Team of company employees has been together for over fifteen 15 years performing demolition and environmental services for the DOE, DOD, NNSA and for the commercial nuclear industry performing decommissioning and critical path outage services to a myriad of US Utility Companies.
CEG recently completed a deactivation and remediation project at the Savannah River Site (SRS) -repurposing the unfinished Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fuel Fabrication Facility (MFFF), Building 226-F. CEG has since expanded its presence and operations to offices in Knoxville Tennessee, New Ellenton South Carolina and Paducah Kentucky.
John Lawrence
Procurement Director, Fluor
John Lawrence served over 20 years in the USAF and is a retired Air Force Captain with more than 30 years of Federal/Nuclear background. He joined Fluor in 2021 as a Procurement Manager for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in New Orleans, LA. He is a Subject Matter Expert when it comes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). He holds a Level II DAWIA Acquisition Certification. Currently serving as the Project Material Manager for Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility (SRPPF) in Aiken, SC. He enjoys traveling with his wife, attempting golf, going to church, and a good cigar every now and then.
B.J. Lownie
Managing Director, Principal Consultant, Strategic Proposal, LLC
BJ Lownie is truly “Passionate about Proposals”.
He is the founder and a principal consultant of Strategic Proposals and a founding member of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP). He has been working on proposals since 1982 (and yes, he realizes that is before many of you were born.)
He is an APMP Certified Professional and elected Fellow. BJ is recognized as a thought-leader on proposal development and is credited with establishing many of the currently accepted proposal development best practices. He is the co-author, with Jon Williams, of the best-selling book – ‘Proposal Essentials: Win More Win More Easily. (Amazon, Hulu)
When not working on proposals, B.J. enjoys skiing, riding motorcycles, traveling, playing with his two dogs and spending time with his wife Carol (not necessarily in that order).
Misty Mayes
Founder and CEO, Management Solutions
Misty D. Mayes, Founder and CEO of Management Solutions, LLC, brings over 30 years of experience delivering mission-critical solutions across energy, national defense, and other complex industries. Under her leadership, MSLLC has managed programs exceeding $36 billion across all 50 states, providing mission assurance, project delivery, and independent assessments that drive operational excellence for government and commercial clients. Misty’s expertise lies in strengthening portfolio execution, enhancing operational effectiveness, and tailoring performance assurance programs to align with each client’s mission. She has led large-scale initiatives for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Headquarters, Divisions, and Districts, and serves as a Portfolio Manager for key U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) programs, including the Office of Science, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and Environmental Management (EM). Her leadership also extends to healthcare projects for state and commercial clients, delivering results-driven solutions tailored to diverse program needs. Throughout her career, she has combined technical excellence with strategic leadership to help organizations overcome challenges, streamline operations, and achieve measurable outcomes. Misty is deeply committed to advancing the next generation of engineering and entrepreneurial professionals and to that point she serves on the Board of Advisors for the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business, Tickle College of Engineering and the UT Foundation Board as well as several national nonprofits across the country. She holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Tennessee and has several graduate certificates from MIT. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma Professional (CLSS), Certified IT Service Management Professional (ITIL 4), and Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP). Misty holds an active DOE Q clearance and is a recognized leader within the Project Management Institute.
Brooklyn McAuliffe
Intern, ETEBA
Brooklyn McAuliffe is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management with minors in Corporate Event Strategy, Business, and Culinary Arts. Since June 2025, she has served as an intern with the Energy, Technology, and Environmental Business Association (ETEBA), where she supports event planning and coordination for members and registrants. Her experience includes assisting with event logistics, managing social media and app content, and engaging with attendees and partners at industry conferences.
Brooklyn is passionate about corporate event planning and exploring how hospitality shapes meaningful professional experiences. As a student and early-career professional, she brings a fresh perspective on what drives the next generation of talent entering the industry—curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to learn from every opportunity.
Tom Nixon
Senior Vice President of Markets and Strategy – Commercial Nuclear, Kiewit Nuclear Solutions
With nearly 40 years of leadership in global nuclear operations, strategic planning and advanced modular reactor (AMR) technologies, Tom brings invaluable expertise to Kiewit’s nuclear team. His focus on market expansion and operational excellence enables him to bridge traditional and next-generation nuclear design while fostering collaboration with regulators and supply chain stakeholders.
Tom brings a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and integrating artificial intelligence into nuclear design. His emphasis on performance metrics and matrixed project structures supports the delivery of scalable, carbon-free energy solutions. His current priorities include advancing nuclear innovation and strengthening partnerships across the industry.
Over the course of his career, Tom has held technical, operational and executive leadership across some of the most influential organizations in the nuclear, infrastructure and technology sectors including Bechtel, Google and X-energy. He also founded and led his own consulting firm delivering strategic solutions in engineering, construction and project management for the nuclear industry. This diverse background equips him to lead complex projects, build multi-stakeholder alignment and drive innovation in highly regulated environments.
At Bechtel, Tom advanced through engineering and project leadership roles to direct major nuclear initiatives such as the $35-billion Vogtle Units 3 & 4 project and the Versatile Test Reactor project led by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). He led teams of up to 1,300 people, consistently achieved industry-leading safety performance and delivered significant cost and schedule improvements through testing innovations and modular strategies.
At Google, he led a cross-functional initiative to develop carbon-free data centers, reducing build times by 66% and introducing nuclear energy into digital infrastructure planning.
As senior vice president and chief commercial officer at X-energy, Tom oversaw global operations across the United States, Canada and United Kingdom implementing a matrixed delivery model to align engineering with commercial strategy while also expanding market reach.
Tom joined Kiewit in 2025 to lead Nuclear Commercial Markets & Strategy where he has an instrumental role in shaping Kiewit’s nuclear strategy around evolving national energy goals and global market demands.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in California, Nebraska and South Carolina. He is Six Sigma Yellow Belt certified, maintains eligibility for a DOD (SECRET) clearance and has previously held a DOE (Level L) clearance.
Ryan Overton
Executive Vice President, Navarro Research and Engineering
Ryan Overton, Executive Vice President for Navarro, leads strategic planning and growth for Navarro’s nationwide federal programs within the Department of Energy, NASA, and the Department of Defense industries. With over 20 years of experience in federal contracting, she has successfully directed strategic planning, resource allocation, business development, and operational oversight.
In addition to the federal portfolio, Ms. Overton leads initiatives across the commercial and private sectors, applying her expertise to drive innovation, compliance, and performance in diverse business environments. Her cross-sector experience has enabled her to build strong partnerships and deliver integrated solutions that meet both government and private industry needs.
She earned her BS in Multinational Business Operations from the Florida State University and actively serves on the City of Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board. She is also a dedicated board member for multiple non-profits, including United Way, the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC), and Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation.
Josh Patterson
Senior Vice President of Markets and Strategy, DOE/District, Kiewit Nuclear Solutions
Josh Patterson is senior vice president of markets and strategy for the Department of Energy (DOE) portfolio at Kiewit Nuclear Solutions. He leads strategic planning, client engagement and pursuit execution across the DOE enterprise, with a focus on delivering safe, high-quality, cost- and schedule-reliable solutions for the nation’s most complex nuclear programs.
Josh’s work supports key DOE agencies, including the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the Office of Science and the Office of Environmental Management (EM). He directs pursuit and capture efforts across a pipeline of more than $3 billion in annual opportunities, aligned with a $1 billion revenue target and a broader DOE market valued in the tens of billions.
Under his leadership, Kiewit has expanded its presence at DOE sites nationwide — including operations in Oak Ridge, TN; Aiken, SC;
Albuquerque, NM; and Idaho Falls, ID. His collaborative, executionfocused approach reinforces Kiewit’s reputation for precision, safety and reliability on nuclear projects.
With more than 20 years of experience across the DOE complex and private sector, Josh began his career in the field. That foundation continues to shape his leadership style and commitment to operational excellence. He has led programs from concept through completion totaling more than $5 billion.
Before joining Kiewit, Josh spent a decade at the Y-12 National Security Complex and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he built expertise in nuclear security, scientific infrastructure and environmental remediation.
Earlier in his career, he supported the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on critical civil works efforts across the country. His commercial portfolio spans defense, industrial, transportation, power, water and heavy civil markets — bringing a multidimensional perspective to DOE missions.
Josh is known for navigating complex regulatory environments — including NQA-1 and DOE safety and security frameworks — while leading diverse teams across both union and open-shop environments. He aligns with federal stakeholders, contractors and partners to deliver results.
He holds a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Tennessee and bachelor’s degree in project management from Colorado State University.
Mike Pearson
Project Director, Y-12 Project Management Office & Uranium Processing Facility
Michael Pearson is a member of the Federal Senior Executive Service (SES) and has over 25 years of engineering experience with a strong project and program management background in facilities construction and management. He joined the Y-12 Project Management Office in 2017 and currently serves as the Director and the Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) project Federal Project Director (FPD). In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the comprehensive management and execution of the Y-12 portfolio, including high-stakes projects essential to nuclear readiness and national security. Michael helps advance the mission of Y-12, driving innovation and operational success related to the NNSA’s infrastructure.
Michael has previously served in the Y-12 PMO as the Deputy and Deputy UPF FPD; the first Technical Director; the Director of the Construction, Environmental, Safety, and Health Division; and the Process Support Facilities Subproject Deputy FPD. Prior to joining the NNSA team, Michael served in increasing positions of responsibility for the Department of Defense (DoD) with his last position being the Deputy Operations Officer for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Naples, Italy, ensuring the successful execution of over $700M annually in facilities construction, planning, operations, and maintenance programs supporting NATO, other Federal agencies, and various DoD supported commands operating throughout Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia. He received an Employee of the Year award and a Meritorious Civilian Service Award during his time in Naples.
Michael is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Georgia and is a Project Management Professional. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from The University of Alabama, and a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Louisville. Additionally, he is a graduate of DoDs LOGTECH Program, receiving both a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Indiana and a Certificate in Supply Chain Management from the University of North Carolina.
October 2025
Everett Redmond
Senior Director, Federal Affairs, Oklo
Everett Redmond is Senior Director Federal Affairs at Oklo. Everett is responsible for policy activities and interface with the U.S. Department of Energy and other federal agencies. Everett also supports nuclear fuel supply and fabrication efforts and Aurora Powerhouse deployment efforts. Everett joined Oklo in September 2022. Prior to joining Oklo, Everett was a Senior Technical Advisor at the Nuclear Energy Institute where he was responsible for programs and policy efforts to support commercialization of advanced reactor technologies. Everett was with NEI from 2006 to 2022. Before joining NEI, Everett was a Principal Engineer at Holtec International. Everett holds a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Nuclear Engineering (1997).
Heidi Smith
Vice President of Economic Development, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Heidi Smith serves as Vice President of Economic Development for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), where she leads initiatives aimed at fostering job creation and attracting investment across the seven-state TVA service region. Smith leads global business and economic incentives programs and specialists, furthering TVA’s mission of service through economic growth.
Since joining TVA in 2002, Smith has been instrumental in the development and implementation of strategic recruitment, community development programs, in-depth site development initiatives, and customized workforce development strategies. Her efforts focus on preparing communities to be in a more marketable position for economic growth opportunities. Programs and initiatives developed under Smith’s leadership include InvestPrep, InvestReady, Workforce Invest, Rural Leadership Institute, and Workforce Institute.
Smith works closely with state, regional, and local economic development and local power company partners in the areas of business recruitment, project management, and community development. Smith is also a certified facilitator for Facilitative Selling and Proposing to Win training.
Before joining TVA, Smith worked for Forcum Lannom Construction Company as vice president of business development and marketing.
Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and communications from the University of Arkansas, is a recipient of the Tennessee Economic Development Council Fred H. Harris Professional of the Year Award and is listed in Southern Business and Development’s Southern Economic Development Hall of Fame. She enjoys spending time with family and resides in Nashville.
Alexia Stewart
Marketing & Communications Specialist, Navarro Research & Engineering
Alexia Stewart serves as the Marketing & Communications Specialist at Navarro. Having joined the company and industry just over two years ago, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding her knowledge of the nuclear, environmental and advanced energy fields.
Alexia holds a Master of Arts in Brand and Media Strategy and a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications, with a concentration in Advertising and Public Relations, both from East Tennessee State University (Go Bucs!).
Before her tenure at Navarro, Alexia gained valuable experience in higher education and property management. Previously she served as the Advisor to the National Pan-Hellenic Council at ETSU and as the Assistant Property Manager for an off-campus student housing complex.
Leveraging her academic background and professional experience, Alexia plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Navarro’s marketing and communication strategies are clear, concise and effective.
Braden Stover
Chief Policy Officer, TN Department of Economic & Community Development
Braden Stover is the Chief Policy at the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. In this role, he guides the department through policy matters, regulatory frameworks, and legislative relationships, working closely with both the Governor’s Office and the State Legislature. Braden is a member of TNECD’s Office of Innovation, which has a goal of increasing private sector research and development spend in Tennessee by utilizing the state’s core research assets and leveraging research strengths for economic development. Braden also oversees the Nuclear Energy Supply Chain Investment Fund, which serves as a recruitment tool for attracting nuclear energy companies to the state, and served on Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s Nuclear Energy Advisory Council.
Bill Tindal
Chief Executive Officer, Omega Technical Services
Bill Tindal is the Chief Executive Officer of Omega Technical Services, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, established in 1995. He comes to Omega with over 35 years of leadership and operational experience in highly hazardous nuclear facility operations. At Omega, Bill is responsible for creating, communicating, and executing Omega’s vision, mission, and overall direction. His primary role is to implement the strategic directions identified by the Omega’s Board.
Bill was most recently Omegas President where he oversaw day-to-day operations. Bill ensured efficient daily operations across all departments by leading and conveying Omega’s philosophies and guidelines to enhance productivity and effectiveness. He managed the company’s budget, financial performance and resource allocation to achieve fiscal goals for expansion, customers, and markets.
Before coming to Omega, Bill served as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, the management and operating contractor for the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The sites are staffed at more than 10,000 personnel and have a budget exceeding $2.5B. As Chief Operating Officer, Bill worked with leaders from Pantex and Y-12 to focus on internal operations, detecting and responding to financial trends, and improving working relationships with nuclear weapon design agencies.
Bill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear engineering from Penn State and a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Tennessee. In his spare time, Bill enjoys baseball, woodworking, traveling with his wife, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Jody Waddell
Chief Operating Officer, Turnkey Technical Services
Jody Waddell serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Turnkey Technical Services, LLC, where he has been a key member of the leadership team for more than a decade. In his role, Jody drives company growth and operational excellence through his expertise in business development, proposal strategy, and project management.
An East Tennessee native, Jody holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Tennessee Wesleyan University and brings over 18 years of experience in U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) subcontracting. His diverse background includes employee recruitment and retention, project management, capture management, and proposal development.
Throughout his tenure at Turnkey, Jody has been instrumental in expanding the company’s footprint across the DOE complex and commercial sectors—leading strategic initiatives, cultivating partnerships, and securing new opportunities that have fueled consistent growth and long-term success. Jody also serves as a member of the ETEBA Board of Directors.
Mickey Wade, Ph.D.
Associate Laboratory Director for the Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Mickey Wade is the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Associate Laboratory Director for the Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate, serving in that role since 2023.
Wade oversees the directorate’s unique facilities, capabilities and skilled scientists and engineers who are tackling such challenges as extending operations of the current U.S. nuclear reactor fleet; investigating economical and flexible advanced reactor systems; and making fusion energy a viable power source.
Wade previously served as Director of the ORNL Fusion Energy Division for three years. Prior to that, he served in various leadership roles at General Atomics, including as the director of the DIII-D National Fusion Program. Wade was also a senior scientist at ORNL from 1994 to 2005.
Throughout his career, Wade has advanced U.S. interest in fusion development, including serving as co-chair of the U.S. Magnetic Research Strategic Directions Community Workshops; contributing to the development of the original ITER Research Plan; serving on the ITER Management Advisory Committee; and playing a key role in securing congressional support for ITER.
Wade has written or co-written more than 300 publications and was named a Fellow the American Physical Society for his outstanding contributions to burning plasma physics, impurity transport and the development of advanced tokamak scenarios. In 2023, he was awarded the Fusion Power Associates Leadership Award. He chairs the Science Committee of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory Advisory Board and is a member of the KSTAR and WEST international advisory committees. He received a bachelor’s degree in nuclear science and engineering from Virginia Tech and master’s and doctoral degrees in nuclear engineering from Georgia Tech.
Kyran Weemaels
Project Management & Business Development, Eurofins Environment Testing (USA)
With a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Lean Six Sigma engineering background, Kyran brings a balance of technical expertise and strategic project management to every initiative. His foundation in project optimization and analytical problem-solving allows him to approach challenges with both precision and creativity.
Over the past five years in environmental chemistry, Kyran has built experience in laboratory operations, quality accreditation systems, and data integrity. Since joining Eurofins Environmental Testing, he’s expanded his focus beyond the lab — now driving business development efforts locally and nationally to strengthen Eurofins Knoxville’s internal network and external partnerships across multiple industries.
Recognized for being supportive, reliable, and solutions focused. His work centers on connecting people, lab processes, and purpose to create real-world environmental impact —helping organizations achieve their project goals through Eurofins expansive network, industry leading turn-around times, and more efficient solutions.
For Kyran, nothing is out of reach—just another opportunity to innovate and grow.
Brian Zieroth
Project Manager, Uranium Processing Facility (UPF), Bechtel International
Brian Zieroth brings nearly three decades of industry experience with Bechtel. He currently serves as the Senior Project Manager for the Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) in Oak Ridge, TN, a plant designed to replace older, outdated facilities and meet modern safety and environmental standards. Upon completion, UPF will replace WWII-era production facilities at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge. At UPF, Brian provides senior leadership across all aspects of engineering, procurement, construction, startup, and commissioning activities.
Other key roles in Brian’s career include Director for Enterprise Line-Item Projects at Consolidated Nuclear Security, where he provided oversight for the Y-12 site in Oak Ridge and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, TX; Project Manager for the Chemistry and Metallurgy Replacement Project (CMRR) at Los Alamos National Laboratory; and Area Project Manager for High Level Waste (HLW) at the Waste Vitrification Facility in Hanford, WA. He has also held management positions at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project, and the Iraq Infrastructure Reconstruction Project.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The London School of Economics and Political Science.
Michael Zupan
Senior Integration Engineer, Kairos Power
Mr. Michael Zupan is a Senior Integration Engineer at Kairos
Power. In this role, he is responsible for operations, maintenance,
and decommissioning planning for the Hermes demonstration
reactor series.
From 2021 to 2024, Michael was Lead Operator for Kairos
Power’s Engineering Test Unit 1.0 project at the company’s
Manufacturing Development Campus in Albuquerque, N.M.
In this role, he oversaw the construction, commissioning, and
operation of the world’s largest molten fluoride salt experiment.
Prior to working at Kairos Power, Michael was a researcher at the
University of Wisconsin, where he worked in R&D for molten salt
and molten metal coolants for advanced reactors.
Michael holds a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering from the University
of Wisconsin and will complete his M.S. in Systems Engineering
from Johns Hopkins University next spring.