The State of the Industry

Todd is the President & CEO of the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council (USNIC) where he serves as USNIC's chief advocate in its mission to advance the development and implementation of new nuclear technology and services to secure the advanced nuclear supply chain in America and abroad. Additionally, he leads the promotion of USNIC’s vision to advance nuclear energy to be established, recognized, and accepted world-wide as an essential baseload, emissions-free, reliable, and clean energy source, as well as promoting the expansion of the use of nuclear for space, medical, propulsion, and other advanced applications.

Previously, Todd was the Founder and President of Turning Point Public Affairs. For nearly 13 years, the firm assisted corporate, non-profit, and political clients with international markets and business development, government affairs, strategic communications, political strategy, and legislative and regulatory grassroots advocacy.

From 2017- 2021, Todd served as a senior-level presidential appointee in the U.S. Federal Government. He began his federal service at the U.S. Department of Commerce as the Department's White House Liaison and a top advisor to former Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. In 2018, he transitioned to the U.S. Trade and Development Agency where he ultimately served as the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Agency, leading the Agency’s global export promotion efforts to support U.S. businesses grow jobs and revenue through priority development projects within emerging markets in the energy, transportation, ICT, healthcare, and agribusiness sectors.

Todd holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations from Yale University and currently lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Melanie, and their two children.

John is the Senior Vice President for Policy and Public Affairs at the Nuclear Energy Institute. He’s responsible for providing policy and public affairs leadership on economic, electricity market and environmental issues related to the nuclear energy industry. John also serves as President of Nuclear Matters, a national coalition of grassroots advocates working to inform the public and policymakers about the clear benefits of nuclear energy.

John joined NEI from the U.S. Department of Energy. He was appointed in January 2015 as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy and was nominated by President Obama in October 2015 to serve as Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy. In that role he was responsible for DOE’s research efforts on current and future nuclear energy systems, establishing a path forward for the nation’s spent nuclear fuel management program, and other national priorities.

Prior to his appointment, John was the Managing Partner of the Boise office of Gallatin Public Affairs. John advised energy, natural resources and other clients facing complex communication and government relations challenges.

From 2010-2012, John served as Staff Director to the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future, which recommended a new strategy for managing nuclear waste in the United States.

From 2003-2006, John was Deputy Manager of the DOE’s Idaho Operations Office. Before joining DOE-Idaho, John worked for Argonne National Laboratory where he directed Argonne’s participation in the Generation IV nuclear energy technology roadmapping project.

In 2002, John was the American Nuclear Society’s Glenn T. Seaborg Congressional Fellow, serving in the office of Office of Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).

John started his career with DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology. He held several positions during his nine years with DOE-NE, including Associate Director for Technology, Associate Director for Management and Administration, and Chief of Staff.

John holds a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Illinois and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland. He serves on nuclear engineering advisory committees at the University of Illinois, the University of Michigan, and Penn State University.

Amy advises on legal and policy matters involving the energy sector, including nuclear fission and fusion. She is a prolific writer and public speaker, and has testified before Congress a number of times on energy matters. Spearheading many "first-of-its-kind" cutting-edge projects, Amy has been recognized by the Financial Times as one of “Top 10 Most Innovative Lawyers” in North America (Dec. 2020) for her work with advanced reactors and fusion, and the National Law Journal (Apr. 2015) in the first edition of "Energy & Environmental Trailblazers," a special supplement paying tribute to the top 50 "great minds impacting the crucial intersection of energy production and the environment." A strong believer in community involvement, Amy also engages in extensive pro bono work. Her most recently work includes supporting the evacuations and resettlement of high-risk people from Afghanistan and leading the legal team for the New England Patriots to send the team plane to China and import and donate nearly two million N95 masks to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jackie Siebens is currently the director of government affairs at Oklo, a private US-based company focused on commercializing fission-based nuclear power. She previously served as senior policy advisor with Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program, where she designed and advocated for policies that will drive innovation and deployment of clean energy technologies, with a focus on advanced nuclear reactors. While at Third Way, she launched the Resource Council for Advanced Reactor Developers which serves as a forum for collaboration among the nonproliferation, nuclear security, and advanced nuclear developer communities. She also advocates for the continued safe operation of the United States’ existing fleet of nuclear power plants.

Previously, Jackie was also an associate with the Nuclear Security Program at the Stimson Center, where she worked with the private sector performing analysis to develop comprehensive nuclear security standards, and incentivize industry stakeholders to reduce the risks posed by nuclear terrorism.

Jackie is a graduate of East Carolina University and earned her master’s degree from the North Carolina State University School of Public and International Affairs. Throughout her career, she has published and presented with numerous organizations including the International Nuclear Law Association, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Institute for Nuclear Materials Management, and the World Institute for Nuclear Security. She regularly briefs the U.S. Congress on matters related to the development of advanced nuclear reactors, and the application of nuclear security and safeguards.