The United States Nuclear Industry Council has selected Todd Abrajano, founder of Turning Point Public Affairs, as its new president and chief executive officer effective Jan. 2, the industry advocacy organization announced Wednesday.
Abrajano will succeed Clarence (Bud) Albright who has led the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council (USNIC) since December 2019 and previously served as the organization’s board chair, according to a council press release.
Abrajano has worked on energy sector projects for over 15 years and served in high-ranking government posts during the administration of President Donald Trump, according to the press release.
Abrajano served as a presidential appointee of Trump, first as the Commerce Department’s White House liaison and a top advisor to former Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, the Nuclear Council said. In January 2018, Abrajano was appointed to the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) where he served in various posts before being appointed Chief Operating Officer and Head of Agency.
“Todd’s blend of senior government leadership, global business development, public relations expertise, and political acumen uniquely position him to lead the Council forward at this exciting time for the industry,” said Jeremy Harrell, chair of the USNIC board of directors.
“2023 will be a new year full of new and exciting opportunities. I am so excited to be joining the United States Nuclear Industry Council at a time when new nuclear technology is really taking off,” Abrajano said Wednesday on his LinkedIn page.
Albright, a former undersecretary of energy during the George W. Bush administration, will retire at the end of this year, according to USNIC. The council’s board selected Albright to lead the nuclear group following the unexpected death of then-CEO David Blee, 66, in late December 2019.
“I am highly confident that [Abrajano] has all the attributes needed to lead our industry and to take USNIC to the next level as a global force for advanced nuclear development, Albright said in the release.
The United States Nuclear Industry Council has more than 90 member organizations involved in nuclear technology and supply-chain issues. It has argued in favor of proposals to develop temporary storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel in Texas and New Mexico.
