The Nuclear Company has announced a trio of key appointments as it prepares to deploy a new fleet of nuclear power plants across the United States. Hernando A. Madroñero has been named Head of Nuclear Deployment and Project Executive, while two veterans of the Vogtle nuclear project, Glen Chick and George Koucheravy, have come out of retirement to join the company in leadership roles.
The company aims to modernise nuclear construction and deliver gigawatt-scale power on time and on budget, a challenge that has historically plagued the industry. It is also collaborating with Palantir Technologies to develop NOS, a new AI-driven software system designed exclusively for nuclear construction.
Hernando Madroñero to Oversee Nuclear Deployment
Hernando A. Madroñero brings more than 30 years of experience in power generation to his new role. He most recently served as the design and construction engineering director for Vogtle units 3 and 4 in Georgia, the only two nuclear reactors built in the US in more than three decades. His career also includes senior leadership positions at General Electric and Exelon Corporation.
“Hernando’s deep experience in nuclear deployment will be invaluable as The Nuclear Company employs our design-once, build-many methodology and deployment platform to deliver fleet-scale nuclear power across America,” said Joe Klecha, The Nuclear Company’s Chief Nuclear Officer.
Madroñero, who began his career as an officer in the US Navy, is confident in the company’s approach. “The Nuclear Company has assembled the nuclear industry’s most experienced team, and together we’ll deliver the baseload power that the United States needs to remain the world’s economic leader,” he said. “The company’s AI-driven NOS deployment platform will help us succeed in delivering gigawatt-scale power on time and on budget.”
Vogtle Veterans Come out of Retirement
Two key figures from the Vogtle project have also joined the company. Glen Chick, who was responsible for the completion, testing, and commissioning of Vogtle units 3 and 4 as an executive vice president at Southern Nuclear, has been named Vice President of Project Strategy and Support. Chick brings more than 45 years of experience in nuclear plant construction and operations, having held various leadership roles at Exelon and other nuclear facilities.
George Koucheravy, a veteran of the nuclear industry with over five decades of experience, has been named Vice President of Procurement and Supply Chain. As a project director for Southern Nuclear, he was responsible for construction, procurement, and subcontractor performance on the Vogtle buildout, working with nearly 60 companies. Koucheravy, who retired as a captain in the US Navy, also led contractor activities for Westinghouse Electric Company on the Vogtle project.
