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Division Spotlight
Young Members Group
The Young Members Group works to encourage and enable all young professional members to be actively involved in the efforts and endeavors of the Society at all levels (Professional Divisions, ANS Governance, Local Sections, etc.) as they transition from the role of a student to the role of a professional. It sponsors non-technical workshops and meetings that provide professional development and networking opportunities for young professionals, collaborates with other Divisions and Groups in developing technical and non-technical content for topical and national meetings, encourages its members to participate in the activities of the Groups and Divisions that are closely related to their professional interests as well as in their local sections, introduces young members to the rules and governance structure of the Society, and nominates young professionals for awards and leadership opportunities available to members.
Meeting Spotlight
Conference on Nuclear Training and Education: A Biennial International Forum (CONTE 2025)
February 3–6, 2025
Amelia Island, FL|Omni Amelia Island Resort
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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February 2025
Nuclear Technology
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A series of firsts delivers new Plant Vogtle units
Southern Nuclear was first when no one wanted to be.
The nuclear subsidiary of the century-old utility Southern Company, based in Atlanta, Ga., joined a pack of nuclear companies in the early 2000s—during what was then dubbed a “nuclear renaissance”—bullish on plans for new large nuclear facilities and adding thousands of new carbon-free megawatts to the grid.
In 2008, Southern Nuclear applied for a combined construction and operating license (COL), positioning the company to receive the first such license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2012. Also in 2008, Southern became the first U.S. company to sign an engineering, procurement, and construction contract for a Generation III+ reactor. Southern chose Westinghouse’s AP1000 pressurized water reactor, which was certified by the NRC in December 2011.
Fast forward a dozen years—which saw dozens of setbacks and hundreds of successes—and Southern Nuclear and its stakeholders celebrated the completion of Vogtle Units 3 and 4: the first new commercial nuclear power construction project completed in the U.S. in more than 30 years.
January 15, 2025|10:00–11:00AM (11:00AM–12:00PM EST)
Available to All Users
Whether you've already registered, still thinking about registering, or even if you can't attend, this event will give you a unique glimpse into the key workforce and education issues impacting the nuclear field this year. Hear from some of the top speakers and learn insights from what they'll be presenting at the upcoming Conference on Nuclear Training and Education (CONTE 2025), February 3-6 in Amelia Island, FL.
Senior Director, Human Resources and Workforce Development (CONTE 2025 Program Chair)
Lori is an accomplished HR professional with 30 years of experience in the healthcare, hospitality, and energy industries. At the Nuclear Energy Institute, Ms. Brady is responsible for coordinating nuclear energy industry workforce programs and initiatives and currently serves as the Deputy Director for the Center for Energy Workforce Development. She is also responsible for implementing strategies that enable the Nuclear Energy Institute to recruit, train, develop and retain a high performing and motivated workforce.
Ms. Brady has served as a Vice President, Human Resources at Neiswanger Management Services, as well as the Corporate Director, Human Resources for Mardeck, Ltd., Radiology Imaging Associates, and CRAssociates. In those positions, Ms. Brady was responsible for managing the strategic and operational activities for all HR functional areas, as well as coordinating local and regional workforce programs and strategies.
Ms. Brady holds a BA in International Studies from Kenyon College and a MBA in International Business from The George Washington University. She is certified through the Society for Human Resource Management as a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).
Associate Professor, Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, New Mexico State University
Before joining NMSU in 2013, Catherine “Catie” Brewer completed a B.S. in Chemistry at Indiana U. of Pennsylvania, a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and Biorenewable Resources & Technology at Iowa State University, and a postdoc at Rice University. She is a John Kaichiro Nakayama and Tome Miyaguchi Nakayama Endowed Professor for interdisciplinary research and education in the College of Engineering.
Dr. Brewer served as associate editor for two years and co-editor-in-chief for two years for Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews. She has also served as community program chair, technical committee chair, and other leadership roles in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). Her research interests include biomass utilization, biochar, pyrolysis, soil remediation, renewable fuels, water treatment, resilience engineering, and sustainable agriculture. She teaches introduction to chemical engineering calculations, senior capstone design, and electives related to brewing and to nuclear chemical engineering.
Lead Maintenance Instructor of Instrumentation and Controls
Blye Widmar is a Distinguished Lead Maintenance Instructor at Clinton Power Station. A graduate of State Technical College of Missouri in 2015, he immediately joined the work force as an Instrumentation and Controls technician at Clinton. He moved to the instructor role in 2017, during which he received a year of turnover time with the previous instructor.
In his tenure at the station, he was a leader of the Innovation Group, a pillar leader of NAYGN, and a three-time presenter at the Exelon Innovation Expo. He has overseen site engineering, mechanical, chemistry, and radiation protection training programs in addition to filling in as acting manager. He has travelled to several stations, both inside and outside the fleet, to help prepare for accreditation visits. He has also travelled to provide common initial training to the fleet during instructor vacancies.
He is the proud owner of an Ovation training mockup he has kept running despite the best efforts of entropy and lightning. He is the subject matter expert on five major plant systems and VISION software. Instrumentation is both a career and hobby thanks to his interest in playing, building, and repairing synthesizers. This will be his fourth time presenting at CONTE.
Vice President, Business Development – Power Systems and Simulation L3Harris MAPPS
Michael assumed responsibility for L3Harris’ Power Systems and Simulation business’ sales more than 25 years ago. He and his team grew sales and market presence, establishing the company as the world leader in the delivery of nuclear power plant simulators. The globally envied Orchid® software brand was also developed under Michael’s leadership.
He is supported by sales professionals, a proposal development team and sales representatives globally. As the head of business development, he is often involved with defining the company’s technological needs/innovations.
Prior to his roles in marketing and business development, Michael held various positions in project management implementing both energy management and power plant simulator projects. Michael holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) degree from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.
L3Harris unlocks value in training and engineering with classroom training technology, plant systems trainers, engineering simulators, full scope operator training simulators, 3D Digital Twins and training services.
Graduate Student, University of Michigan, Engineering Education Research Program
John Mobley IV is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Engineering Education Research program at the University of Michigan. His research interests encompass education, training, and workforce development within the U.S. nuclear sector—particularly within the purview and framework of advanced reactor designs and technologies. He currently researches both disability studies and nuclear engineering education, focusing on topics ranging from student experiences to resource availability.
John holds five degrees from Iowa State University: B.S. in Physics with a Nuclear Engineering minor; B.S. in Mathematics with Applications; Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Education Focus); M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration; and an MBA. He has prior experience collaborating with organizations such as Ames National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Exelon Nuclear, and the Nuclear Innovation Alliance.
John is an active member of the American Nuclear Society, serving as an executive member within the Education, Training, and Workforce Development Division; Young Members Group; and Student Sections Committee. As a legally blind individual, John is passionate about ensuring that higher education is accessible and guaranteeing that all students have the resources necessary to thrive.
