The U.S. Nuclear Industry Council (USNIC) on Thursday said interim President and CEO Bud Albright would remain in the position on an ongoing basis.
Albright has been chairman of the business group’s Executive Board since 2018, and stepped into the leadership role in January following the unexpected death of President and CEO David Blee.
Albright has shifted between government service and private industry in the energy sector throughout his career, with positions including undersecretary of energy from 2007 to 2009 and staff director for the House Energy and Commerce Committee from 2003 to 2006. He opened the Albright Strategies consultancy in December 2017.
“USNIC remains the preeminent organization representing the development, deployment and commercial viability of advanced nuclear technology,” Albright said in a prepared statement. “The future of nuclear development is fast changing, and we are all grateful to the talented scientists, engineers and business leaders engaged in the important work that is producing innovative and promising technology for a cleaner, safer future for the world.”
His selection topped a list of new appointments by the USNIC Executive Board.
Jeremy Harrell, the groups’s vice chairman and the managing director of policy at conservative clean-energy organization ClearPath, has been nominated to succeed Albright as board chairman. Eric Knox, vice president for strategic development within the nuclear and environment business at Amentum (AECOM’s former Management Services business), would then become vice chairman. A vote by USNIC members is necessary to approve the board’s nominations.
Meanwhile, Caleb Ward, USNIC’s director since 2012, is now chief operating officer. David Jonas, a former USNIC board chairman and vice chairman, is now executive director.
“The COO and Executive Director positions are new as the Council is working to expand our activities and ensure greater coverage of our Members’ needs, as well as to ensure continuity going forward in case of another tragedy like we suffered in December with the loss of David,” Ward said by email Thursday.
These are both full-time roles, as is Albright’s position. As chief operating officer, Ward said he will manage the organization’s daily operations, events, and other operations. Jonas will manage USNIC’s finances and support its activities and membership.
The Nuclear Industry Council represents more than 80 companies with stakes in the business, including Amentum, Bechtel, BWX Technologies, Fluor, Duke Energy, Orano, Studsvik, and Westinghouse Electric. It describes itself as “the leading U.S. business consortium advocate for nuclear energy and promotion of the American supply chain globally.”
