Workshop Speakers
Featured Speakers
Denisa Sakova
Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Economy
Slovak Republic
Denisa Sakova
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Slovak Republic
Denisa Saková studied at the Gymnasium of Eugen Guderna in Nitra. She continued her studies at the Faculty of national Economy of the University of Economics in Bratislava, where she also obtained her doctoral degree.
During her studies, she began working as a consultant at DELTA E. S., a. s. Subsequently, from 2001 to 2003, she worked for Cap Gemini Ernst & Young GmbH in Berlin as a senior consultant. From 2003 to 2007, she worked for E.ON IT Slovakia, s. r. o. as the Director of the Applications Division.
In 2007, she transitioned from the private sector to the public sector, where she worked at the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic until 2010 as the General Director of the Informatics, Telecommunications, and Security Section. She returned to the Ministry of Interior in 2012, initially as the Head of the Service Office, and from 2016, she served as the State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. In 2018, she was appointed as the Minister of the Interior, becoming the first woman in the department´s history to hold this position. She served also as a member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic from 2020 to 2023.
Heather Rogers
U.S. Chargé d'affaires
Slovak Republic
Heather Rogers
U.S. Chargé d'affaires, Slovak Republic
Heather Rogers joined U.S. Embassy Bratislava as the Deputy Chief of Mission in July 2024 and assumed duties as Chargé d’affaires, a.i. on January 16, 2026.
Most recently, Heather served as Economic Counselor at U.S. Embassy Warsaw (2020–2023), where she led the Embassy’s economic engagement with Poland, advanced energy security through U.S.-supported civil nuclear cooperation, and supported Poland’s response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Previously, she was Deputy Economic Chief at U.S. Embassy Hanoi (2015–2018), helping lead a team that significantly strengthened U.S.-Vietnam economic, trade, and labor relations, including during Vietnam’s chairmanship of APEC.
Heather also served as Senior Burma Desk Officer in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (2012–2014), where she was part of an interagency team that won recognition for significantly advancing U.S. interests and peace during a period of unprecedented positive bilateral engagement. As a Watch Officer in the Executive Secretariat’s Operations Center (2011–2012), she supported the Secretary of State and other Department leaders’ global outreach and crisis response. Her consular tour was at U.S. Embassy Bogotá (2009–2011), where she worked during a period of significant internal displacement linked to Colombia’s armed conflict. Heather’s first Foreign Service assignment was as a Human Rights Officer at U.S. Embassy New Delhi (2006–2008).
Heather began her federal career the day before September 11, 2001 – an event that shaped her approach to public service – serving first as a Presidential Management Fellow and later as a civil servant at the Department of State. Her early assignments included serving as Public Diplomacy Desk Officer for India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (2003-2006), working in the political section at U.S. Embassy Skopje (2002-2003) and supporting oversight and accountability efforts with the Office of Inspector General (2001-2002).
Heather holds a BA from the College of Saint Benedict / St. John’s University (CSB/SJU), a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Rutgers University, and a Master of Science (MS) in National Security and resource Strategy from National Defense University (NDU). She has studied Slovak, Polish, Vietnamese and Spanish.
She has been married for more than two decades to a (now retired) American diplomat and together they have three children and a very energetic dog. Outside of work, Heather values time with her family and enjoys discovering cities on foot and long dinners with good conversation.
Rian Bahran
Deputy Assistant Secretary
U.S. Department of Energy
Rian Bahran
Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy
Dr. Rian Bahran serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactors overseeing a comprehensive portfolio that includes research, development, demonstration, and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors as well as cutting-edge technologies that underpin the technical and economic sustainability of the nation’s current commercial nuclear fleet.
A career member of the Senior Executive Service, Dr. Bahran began his career at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he spent over a decade as an experimentalist and as a program manager. Subsequently, he expanded his service through multiple administrations as a senior advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, providing strategic guidance on nuclear issues, energy, homeland defense and resilience, among other critical national security matters. For his exemplary performance, he received the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. Dr. Bahran also served as the assistant director for nuclear technology and strategy in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, leading policy development on issues related to nuclear fission and fusion energy, national security, and emerging technology to enhance resilience and bolster global competitiveness.
He holds a doctor of philosophy degree in nuclear science and engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York, where his doctoral research was funded by the U.S. Naval Reactors in support of the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory Advanced Reactor Program. He also earned a dual B.S. in nuclear engineering and engineering physics from RPI.
The following speakers are listed alphabetically by last name.
Todd Abrajano
President & Chief Executive Officer
United States Nuclear Industry Council
Todd Abrajano
President & Chief Executive Officer, United States Nuclear Industry Council
Todd Abrajano is the President & CEO of the United States Nuclear Industry Council 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 U.S. economic 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, Mr. Abrajano 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, Mr. Abrajano 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 supporting U.S. jobs and businesses in priority development projects within emerging markets in the energy, transportation, ICT, healthcare and agribusiness sectors.
Natalia Amosova
Principal Consultant
Apollo + Nuclear
Natalia Amosova
Principal Consultant, Apollo + Nuclear
Natalia Amosova is a mechanical engineer with 15+ years experience in the nuclear industry. During her career Ms. Amosova has worked for major nuclear grade equipment providers in Europe and the United States where she was managing sales activities, project portfolios and business development activities for NPP new-build and long-term
operation initiatives across the globe. As a seasoned senior manager, Ms. Amosova also has experience in organizational aspects and strategic regulatory compliance efficiency. Today she is a principal consultant at Apollo Plus where she supports clients in the area of licensing, qualification, organizational excellence and SMR deployment globally. Ms. Amosova is a board member of Swiss nuclear association and a former board member of the European Nuclear Society.
Nineta Balas
Licensing and Permitting Director
Ropower
Nineta Balas
Licensing and Permitting Director, RoPower
Nineta Balas is the Licensing and Permitting Director at RoPower Nuclear, leading efforts to advance Romania’s first small modular reactor (SMR) project. She oversees regulatory processes, stakeholder engagement, and authorizations critical for the deployment of next-generation nuclear technology.
With a strong technical background from the University Politehnica of Bucharest, Nineta combines expertise in nuclear engineering and regulatory affairs to support Romania’s energy transition. She is actively engaged with European nuclear communities, promoting effective licensing strategies and best practices for safe, reliable nuclear project development.
Michal Belianský
Vice-Chairman of the BoD of Newvys and Director of Development Projects Department
JAVYS
Michal Belianský
Vice Chairman of the BoD of Newvys and Director of Development Projects Department
JAVYS
Michal Belianský is working as Director of Development Projects Department in JAVYS, a Slovak state-owned company responsible for key activities in RAW management and the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. His work focuses on the strategic development of nuclear projects, preparation of new energy sources, and international cooperation in the nuclear sector. He is actively involved in discussions on the future of nuclear energy, including initiatives related to advanced modular reactors in Jaslovske Bohunice. He regularly participates in expert conferences and contributes to long-term development initiatives in Slovakia’s nuclear energy sector.
John Best
Project Director Nuclear Power Group
Sargent & Lundy/
U.S. Department of State FIRST Program
John Best
Project Director Nuclear Power Group Sargent & Lundy
U.S. Department of State FIRST Program
Mr. Joshua Best is a Project Director in Sargent & Lundy’s Nuclear Power Group with nearly two decades of experience in nuclear power and industrial facility design and consulting. He leads the firm’s international consulting and engineering services focused on feasibility studies for deployment of new nuclear technologies, including large conventional reactors, small modular reactors (SMRs), and microreactors, with responsibility for planning, organizing, and providing technical direction for multi discipline project teams.
Mr. Best oversees Sargent & Lundy’s program of projects supporting the U.S. Department of State’s Foundational Infrastructure for the Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Program including Project Phoenix, NEXT the SMR Pan Regional Interest Nuclear Group (SPRING) initiatives worldwide. In this role, he leads feasibility and pre feasibility studies, technology assessments, and site licensing roadmaps that help partner countries evaluate and prepare for secure, safe, and responsible deployment of U.S. SMR technologies under the highest nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation standards. Of note, through this leadership S&L delivered the final results of a nearly 2 year effort developing a fully compliance IAEA feasibility study for the Slovak Republic in January 2026.
William Bizollon
Business Development Engineer
Holtec International
William Bizollon
Business Development Engineer
Holtec International
William Bizollon is a Business Development Engineer at Holtec International, based in Madrid, where he supports the deployment strategy of the SMR-300 and advanced clean energy technologies across Europe and Africa, contributing to menergy security and net-zero objectives. Prior to joining Holtec, he spent over ten years in the French nuclear
industry with AREVA Group and TechnicAtome, serving as Project Engineering Manager on major reactor programs and leading complex engineering initiatives. William also brings broad operational experience as a Test Director and Operations Engineer at multiple nuclear facilities. He holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and Executive Management from the École des Mines de Saint-Étienne (France).
www.linkedin.com/in/william-bizollon
Rubén Bravo González
APX Supply Chain EMEA Projects Sr. Manager
Westinghouse Electric Company
Rubén Bravo González
APX Supply Chain EMEA Projects Sr. Manager
Westinghouse Electric Company
Rubén Bravo is an Aerospace Engineer and senior supply chain leader with 26 years of experience managing high technology programs in the nuclear energy and defense sectors. He currently serves as Senior Manager for APX Supply Chain EMEA Projects at Westinghouse Electric Company, where he leads supply chain execution for AP1000 and AP300 projects across Europe.
Rubén brings expertise in SMR and advanced reactor deployment, including NSSS equipment manufacturing, vendor qualification, and supply chain management in highly regulated environments. He has led international programs spanning design readiness, supplier development, and commercial execution.
Dominick Claudio
Director of Sales
Nuscale
Dominick Claudio
Director of Sales, NuScale
Dominick Claudio is Director of Sales at NuScale Power, a leader in small modular reactor (SMR) technology. He oversees commercial sales and business development, working with global partners to advance safe, scalable, and carbon-free nuclear energy solutions.
With a career spanning major energy and industrial companies, Dominick previously held senior roles at AREVA NP and ENEXIO US, where he led product management, strategic growth, and complex technical sales initiatives. He holds a Bachelor’s in Metallurgy and Materials Science from Stevens Institute of Technology and brings extensive expertise in driving innovation and adoption of advanced energy technologies worldwide.
Wolfgang Denk
Founder and Independent Advisor
Denk Nuclear
Wolfgang Denk
Founder and Independent Advisor
Denk Nuclear
Wolfgang Denk is the founder of Denk Nuclear AG, an independent advisory firm specializing in technical due diligence, corporate governance, and risk management in the nuclear energy sector. He brings more than 20 years of international experience across utilities, reactor vendors, regulators, and institutional investors. His career includes roles with organizations such as TÜV SÜD, Westinghouse, Axpo, Alpiq, and Credit Suisse
Asset Management, where he focused on nuclear energy and energy infrastructure. Wolfgang previously served as Managing Director of Swissnuclear, representing
Switzerland’s nuclear power plant operators. A mechanical engineer by training
with postgraduate studies in management, he advises clients worldwide on
strategic and investment decisions in the nuclear energy sector.
Bertrand Deprez
Head of Policy and Government Afffairs
GE Vernova
Bertland Deprez
Head of Policy and Government Affairs
GE Vernova
Bertrand Deprez is the head of policy and government affairs of GE Vernova in Europe. GE Vernova is one of the largest technology providers for the generation, transfert and storage of electricity in Europe. He is currently holding responsibilities in several associations and groups related to the EU.
Previously, Bertrand used to be the vice-President for EU Government Affairs at Schneider Electric where he managed public affairs activities for the group in Europe. Prior to that, Mr Déprez for worked several years at Edelman/The Centre a well-known PR/PA agency specialised in EU affairs. Mr Déprez graduated at University Lyon 3 (France) and the London School of Economics and Political Science (UK). He lives in Brussels. He is also an alumni of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the U.S. Department of States.
Michael Donohue
Vice President of Data Center Solutions
Oklo
Michael Donohue
Vice President of Data Center Solutions
Oklo
Michael Donohue is a leading energy expert in markets and delivery options and currently holds the position of VP of Energy Strategy and Origination at Oklo. He is in charge of originating or providing integrated nuclear power solutions across all global markets for customers. They key customers Oklo is engaging with are major hyperscale customer integrating digital infgerstrucutre into 21st century advanced nuclear solutions.
Michael Donohue served as the Managing Director of Business Development & Sustainability at Cumulus Data and the Managing Director of ERCOT Power Trading and Origination at Talen Energy. At Cumulus Data, Michael led marketing activities of the company's flagship direct connect nuclear campus and other natural gas-generated campuses. He is dedicated to promoting the industry-wide adoption of carbon-free nuclear energy across data center operations.
In addition to his roles at Cumulus Data and Talen Energy, Michael chairs the Power Working Group for the iMason Climate Accord. In this position, he coordinates large strategic power discussions with major hyperscale companies within the data center industry.
With over 15 years of commercial experience in the electrical power industry, Michael is an expert in PJM and ERCOT marketing and trading, risk management, and 24/7 generation dispatch. Before his current roles, he led the ERCOT Trading and Origination desk at Talen Energy. His career also includes various commodity trading positions at PPL, Constellation Energy, Exelon, and the NYMEX.
Nathan Donohue
Commercial Officer
U.S Mission to the EU, U.S. Department of Commerce
Nathan Donohue
Commercial Officer
U.S Mission to the EU, U.S. Department of Commerce
Nathan Donohue serves as Commercial Attache at the U.S. Mission to the EU, covering Energy Transportation, and Sustainability, with a special focus on promoting advanced nuclear reactor technology.
Previously, Mr. Donohue served four years as the Deputy Principal Commercial Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, and acting Principal Commercial Officer for Western
Canada. Mr. Donohue also served three years at the U.S. Consulate General Shanghai.
Prior to joining Commerce, Mr. Donohue served as a Program Analyst with the Office of Export Control Cooperation (ISN/ECC) at the U.S. Department of State where he worked
with international partners to leverage export controls to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction and related materials and technology. In addition, he served as acting Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) Regional Country Officer developing strategic plans and overseeing implementation of capacity development programs across seven countries.
Mr. Donohue also has extensive private sector experience, including policy analysis and
consulting for Washington, D.C. arms control associations and national security
firms.
Mr. Donohue is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. He received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Kentucky, and an M.A. in International Affairs from George
Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.
Heather Feldman
Director, Training, and Development
EPRI
Heather Feldman
Director, Training, and Development
EPRI
Heather Feldman is Director, Training and Development at EPRI. In this role, Feldman leads EPRI’s efforts to apply the science of learning to develop and deliver modern
training programs that meet the needs of the energy workforce and the public.
At EPRI, Feldman previously led teams that conducted applied R&D to overcome barriers for modernizing and maximizing the utilization of nuclear power plants; to develop new and enhanced technologies and processes for inspection and repair and aging management of nuclear power plants; and to deploy advanced nuclear technologies. She led EPRI’s initiative on Artificial Intelligence, managed the Engineering Programs area, and worked in the Steam Generator Management Program as well as the Office of Innovation.
Before joining EPRI, Feldman worked for United Space Alliance, where she coordinated systems engineering and integration work in the thermal area of the Space Shuttle Program. Her work contributed to the successful Return-to-Flight mission after the Columbia accident. Feldman holds bachelor of science, master of science, and doctoral
degrees in mechanical engineering from Clemson University and a master’s degree
in business administration from Wake Forest University.
Andrei Goicea
Policy Director
Nuclear Europe
Andrei Goicea
Policy Director, Nuclear Europe
Andrei Goicea graduated in 2002 from the University Politehnica of Bucharest – Faculty of Power Engineering as a nuclear engineer and earned a master’s degree in nuclear safety and radiological protection the following year. He also holds studies in economics.
He began his professional career at Nuclearelectrica – Romania (2003–2013) and then worked on the Mochovce Units 3 and 4 Project in Slovakia (2013–2015). Since May 2015, he has been with Nuclear Europe (formerly FORATOM), where he currently serves as Policy Director, managing European policy matters impacting the nuclear sector.
Tom Greatrex
Chief Executive Officer
Nuclear Industry Association
Tom Greatrex
Chief Executive Officer, Nuclear Industry Association UK
Tom Greatrex has been the Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association on 1 February 2016. In that capacity, he is the leading representative of the UK’s civil nuclear energy sector and has the led the NIA through a time of unprecedented political interest in the deployment of nuclear technology.
Formerly MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, Tom was shadow energy minister from 2011 – 2015 and the opposition’s lead spokesman on nuclear energy, electricity market reform, smart grid and metering, carbon capture and storage, interconnection and both onshore and offshore oil and gas. He also served as a member of the Energy Select Committee from 2010 and from 2007-2010 was a policy adviser in the Scotland Office, including on energy.
In a varied prior career, he was Director of Corporate Affairs for the NHS in Scotland, a chief officer in local government and a GMB trade union official in England. Outside of work his main interests are family, football (Fulham) and film.
Yassin A. Hassan
Director
Center for Advanced Small Modular and Microreactors (CASMR)
Texas A&M University
Yassin A. Hassan
Director
Center for Advanced Small Modular and Microreactors (CASMR)
Texas A&M University
Yassin Hassan is University Distinguished Professor, Regents
Professor, and the L.F. Peterson '36 Chair II in Engineering. He is a professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University. He is the Director of the Center for Advanced Small Modular and Microreactors (CASMR).
Prior to joining Texas A&M September 1986, he worked for seven years at Nuclear Power Division, Babcock & Wilcox Company, Lynchburg, Virginia. His research is in computational and experimental thermal hydraulics and advanced nuclear reactors. He is a Member of the United States National Academy of Engineering and a Member of the Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Nuclear Society (ANS) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). His awards include the 2008 American Nuclear Society Seaborg Medal, the 2003 George Westinghouse Gold Medal award, the 2004 Thermal Hydraulics Technical Achievement award, the 2003 Arthur Holly Compton Award of the American Nuclear Society, the 2001 Glenn Murphy award of the American Association for Engineering Education and the 2017 James N. Landis Medal of the American Society of Mechanical. He received the Distinguished Achievement Award in
Research, given by the Association of Former Students and Texas A&M University. He is a member of Slovenian Academy of Engineering. Hassan was sworn in 2007 as a part-time technical judge to the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He is an Honorary Professor at the Nuclear Futures Institute, Bangor University, UK. He is also received the 2022 Fluid Engineering Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the 2023 Tsuyoshi Asanuma Award from the Visualization Society of Japan. He is the editor-in-chief of the Nuclear Technology Journal He is the recipient of the 2020 Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Alumni Distinguished Award. He has authored more than 580 refereed publications in technical journals and conference proceedings (265 technical journals and 324 conferences) and more than 420 summaries in American Nuclear Society Transactions (the largest for any ANS member since its establishment in 1950). He delivered more than 150 plenary and invited presentations. He has 8 patents. He received his master’s and doctorate in nuclear in nuclear engineering from the University of Illinois and a master’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Virginia.
Benjamin Holtzman
Director of New Nuclear
Nuclear Energy Institute
Ben Holtzman
Director of New Nuclear
Nuclear Energy Institute
Ben is the Director of New Nuclear at the Nuclear Energy
Institute and a nationally recognized strategist dedicated to accelerating
nuclear deployment at scale. With two decades of experience in the nuclear fuel
cycle, regulatory frameworks, and project construction execution, Ben serves as
a trusted advisor to executives and policymakers navigating the complexities of
nuclear energy. He is widely respected for his ability to distill intricate risks
into actionable strategic insights with a focus on the big picture.
He previously led industry’s Accident Tolerant Fuel program
and the development of an efficient risk-informed performance-based licensing
framework. Before joining NEI, Ben worked at Westinghouse where he worked in
Fuels and licensing the AP1000 reactor in the U.S. and internationally. He was also
part of the American Nuclear Society’s inaugural 40 Under 40 honorees.
Ben holds a B.S. in nuclear engineering, a M.S. in nuclear,
plasma, & radiological engineering, and an executive M.B.A.
Michael Jedlička
CEZ, European Industrial Alliance on SMRs
Michael Jedlička
CEZ, European Industrial Alliance on SMRs
Michal Jedlicka works in CEZ Public Affairs for more than 10 years. As a lawyer, he deals primarily with EU legislation in the field of regulation of new low-carbon energy sources, state aid and competition. In cooperation with Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, he was involved in discussions with the EC (DG Competition) on setting the conditions of state aid for the construction of a new nuclear power plant at the Dukovany site. Regarding the SMRs he participated on the preparation of “Eurelectric´s position paper on small modular reactors”, which was launched on 9 November 2023, as a member of Eurelectric WG Thermal and Nuclear. Since 2024, he has been a member of the Governing Board of SMR Industrial Alliance as chair of TWG 8, which focuses on financing of SMR/AMR.
Michael Kirst
Managing Director
EuroAtlantic Partners
Michael E. Kirst
Managing Director, EuroAtlantic Partners
Michael E. Kirst is the Founder and Managing Director of EuroAtlantic Partners, a firm dedicated to advancing transatlantic commercial and diplomatic cooperation in energy and climate solutions. He also serves as Coordinator and Senior Advisor to the U.S. Department of Commerce Small Modular Reactor Public-Private Program, developing initiatives to support the adoption of small and advanced nuclear reactors across Eurasia. He was also most recently appointed and served as the Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Energoatom of Ukraine.
He has had a distinguished career in international relations, energy, and government affairs. From 1996 to 2005, he was Director of International and Government Affairs at Westinghouse Electric Company in Washington, DC. Earlier, he served as Director of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Economic Committee in Brussels, advising NATO nations and newly independent Central and Eastern European countries on economic reforms.
Kirst began his career as a Legislative Aide to Congressman Leon E. Panetta, covering banking, budget, energy, and commerce. He brings deep expertise in energy, politics, economics, and international commerce, with a long track record of engagement with key decision-makers worldwide.
Frédéric Lafosse
APX Supply Chain EMEA Projects Director
Westinghouse Electric Company
Frédéric Lafosse
APX Supply Chain EMEA Projects Director, Westinghouse
Frédéric Lafosse is a senior nuclear energy professional with extensive experience in global nuclear procurement and project delivery. He currently serves as Manager – Global AP1000® Energy Systems Procurement & Execution at Westinghouse Electric Company, where he leads integrated procurement services including engineering, quality, project controls, and supplier development for the AP1000 nuclear program. His teams have delivered significant nuclear equipment and materials across major Westinghouse projects, supporting safe, innovative, and sustainable nuclear technology worldwide.
Frédéric holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from École des Mines and an Executive MBA from HEC Paris. He is known for his focus on strategic procurement, supplier localization, and global sourcing strategies that advance nuclear energy deployment and reliability across European and international markets.
Peter Liška
Government Plenipotentiary for the Development of Nuclear Energy
Ministry of Economy
Slovak Republic
Peter Líška
Government Plenipotentiary for the Development of Nuclear Energy
Ministry of Economy, Slovak Republic
Peter Liska has been active in the energy sector since the 1970s. He graduated in 1976 from the Slovak University of Technology (STU) in Bratislava, specializing in Thermal and Nuclear Power Engineering Machinery and Equipment.
In 1977, he joined VUJE Trnava, holding senior roles including Director of the Nuclear Safety Division, Member of the Board of Directors, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer. He led key projects at the Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant, including safety improvements for Units 1 and 2, the accident localization system for the V-1 modernization, and the redesign of Units 3 and 4.
Peter has also served on the European Commission’s Scientific and Technical Committee, the highest advisory body for nuclear energy.
Megan Naylor
Senior Economic Officer
U.S. Embassy Bratislava
Megan Naylor
Senior Economic Officer
U.S. Embassy Bratislava
Megan Naylor joined U.S. Embassy Bratislava as the Senior Economic Officer in July 2024. Most recently, Megan served as the Economic Officer at Embassy Tallinn, where she was responsible for economic, energy, and environmental policy, amongst other
issues. Megan previously worked in the State Department’s Office of Multilateral Trade Affairs where she was part of the team negotiating the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, and addressing global steel excess capacity. She also served as an Economic Officer in Kosovo, Vice Consul in Argentina, and Assistant Public Affairs Officer in Liberia. She speaks some Slovak, Estonian, Albanian, and Spanish.
Before joining the Department of State, Megan worked in economic development and marketing. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Richmond and received both her Master of Business Administration and her Master of City and Regional Planning degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She’s married to a fellow Foreign Service Officer and has two young sons.
Rastislav Podhorec
Chairman
EXIMBANKA SR
Rastislav Podhorec
Chairman
EXIMBANKA
Rastislav Podhorec has extensive professional experience in the banking and insurance sectors. In the past, he served as CEO of AIG Funds Central Europe, founded and chaired the Association of Financial Intermediaries and Financial Advisors, was a member of the Investment Guarantee Fund Board, a member of the Board of the Asset Management Companies Association, a member of the Supervisory Board of Eximbanka, and Deputy CEO of Eximbanka responsible for financing and insurance.
Maria Oprisescu
Head of Management System Control Section / Nuclear Fuel Cycle Division
National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN)
Maria Oprisescu
Head of Management System Control Section / Nuclear Fuel Cycle Division
National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN)
Maria Oprisescu has been working since 2004 with the National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN), the nuclear regulatory authority of Romania. She started as a junior QA specialist and since 2019 has been the Head of the Management System Control Section within the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Division. Since January 2022 she has been acting as interim Director of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Division, in charge of regulation, licensing and control of activities and facilities within the nuclear fuel cycle.
She graduated in 2004 from the Politehnica University of Bucharest with a degree in Electrical Engineering. She completed a first master’s degree in Quality Management, followed by a second master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering.
Her expertise covers review and assessment, inspection and licensing of Quality Management Systems for nuclear installations and suppliers of safety related items. In the last 10 years she contributed to review and assessment activities, licensing, licensing of operating personnel and inspection of nuclear installations in Romania.
Her current responsibilities include planning and coordinating activities related to regulation, licensing and control of activities and facilities within the nuclear fuel cycle, managing the associated processes, and coordinating the projects of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Division.
Robert Rudich
Chief Business Development Officer
Synthos
Robert Rudich
Chief Business Development Officer
Synthos Green Energy
Robert Rudich is responsible for the development of a fleet of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in Europe and beyond. Previously, he served as a foreign affairs specialist and diplomat at the U.S. Department of Energy, supporting civilian nuclear energy programs based on U.S. technologies to ensure carbon-free energy security and strengthen economic competitiveness. He was also seconded to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), implementing nuclear and radiological security programs across East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific region.
With over 25 years of military service, including missions in Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, and Kazakhstan, he also served in the U.S. Army Special Forces and participated in rescue operations following Hurricane Katrina. He holds a Master’s in International Security and a Bachelor’s in International Studies from the University of Denver.
Tomáš Šimovič
Business Development Manager
Slovenské Elektrárne
Tomáš Šimovič
Business Development Manager
Slovenské elektrárne
Tomáš Šimovič is a senior energy professional with expertise in quantitative optimization and risk management. He graduated from the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) in Technical Cybernetics and from the École Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées (ENSTA) in Paris.
Tomáš has held roles at Électricité de France, Sapient Global Markets, and SPP Bratislava, working on production optimization, risk management, and financial valuation. Since 2019, he has been with Slovenské elektrárne, leading the Optimization Quant Team and supporting development projects to enhance resource efficiency and operational performance.
Pavol Stuller
European Development Director
Amentum
Pavol Stuller
European Development Director
Amentum
Pavol has more than 20 years in the European energy business
holding different positions focused on energy transformation, decommissioning,
new nuclear build, SMRs as well supporting national energy programs, working
extensively with private and government stakeholders. Prior his current
position at Amentum as the Managing Director for CEE he served as Chairman of
the Board and CEO of JAVYS (Slovak utility) where he was responsible for
decommissioning of nuclear installations in Slovakia, management of radioactive
waste and new nuclear projects including GW and SMRs. Starting in 2008, he
served as Managing Director (Slovakia/Czech Republic) at AMEC Foster Wheeler
(Clean Energy). Between 2015 and 2018, he was the Chairman of the Supervisory
Board of Amec Foster Wheeler Romania, where he was responsible for the
strategic management of the Romanian branch. From 2008 to 2020, he
simultaneously served as Manager for Central Europe at Wood Nuclear Central and
Eastern Europe (Decommissioning), where he was responsible for managing the
company with a focus on the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and the
processing of radioactive waste in the Central European region. From 2016 to
2020, he was a member of the Board of Directors at Slovenské elektrárne, one of
the largest CEE asset operator, focusing on new nuclear build.
John Uehlinger
Senior Director, Head of Nuclear Development
Bechtel Enterprises
John Uehlinger
Senior Director, Head of Nuclear Development
Bechtel Enterprises
John is the Head of Nuclear Development (part of the Global Power Development team) in Bechtel Enterprises (“BEn”), based in Reston, VA. In this role, John leads the development, including early stage development capital investment, and financing of nuclear power projects in the United States and globally. Prior to this role, John was part of BEn’s Financing Services team, leading Bechtel’s engagement with export credit
agencies and development finance institutions. In addition, John serves as the Nuclear, Security & Environmental (NS&E) global business unit lead for BEn. Prior to joining BEn in 2023, John worked for 13 years at GE in a variety of roles, most recently as a Vice President in GE Energy Financial Services. While at GE, John led export credit and project financing transactions for GE’s Energy, Transportation and Healthcare business lines. John holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
Harri Varjonen
Executive Director
Finnuclear
Harri Varjonen
Executive Director
Finnuclear
Mr. Harri Varjonen, born in 1968, has over three decades of
experience in the nuclear industry. He began his career at the Olkiluoto Power
Plant in Finland as Section Head for Mechanical Maintenance, where he was
responsible for overseeing the daily mechanical maintenance of two boiling water
reactor (BWR) units.
He subsequently served nine years at the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as a Nuclear Engineer within the Nuclear Power
Engineering Section (NPES). In this role, he specialized in maintenance and
maintenance management, including outage planning, maintenance optimization,
welding techniques for pressurized equipment, non-destructive examination
(NDE), and in-service inspection (ISI). During his tenure at the IAEA, Mr.
Varjonen collaborated closely with multiple Member States through the Technical
Cooperation Program, conducting training courses and workshops to share his
expertise in these areas.
Following his tenure at the IAEA, he assumed the position of
Executive Director at the FinNuclear Association, where he applies his
extensive technical and managerial knowledge to support the organization’s
mission. Mr. Varjonen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from
Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (1995) and a specialized professional
degree in Management (2007).
Branislav Vrban
Professor
Slovak Technical University
Branislav Vrban
Professor
Slovak Technical University
Branislav Vrban, born in 1986 in Bratislava.
He completed his studies at the Slovak University of Technology in 2010 in the
field of electrical engineering with a specialisation in nuclear energy. He then continued with doctoral studies in nuclear energy, focusing on the neutronics of fast reactors under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Haščík. During his PhD studies, he undertook internships and research stays at Cadarache in France and at KAERI in South Korea.
After completing his PhD in 2015 (recipient of the Aurel Stodola Award), he worked as
a research scientist at the Institute of Nuclear and Physical Engineering (INPE). In 2021, he was appointed Associate Professor in the field of nuclear energy. Between 2019 and 2023, he served as Deputy Director of INPE. He currently leads the Centre of Nuclear Technology and Applications.
His scientific work is focused on reactor physics, shielding, neutron applications,
and the use of artificial intelligence. He translates these research topics
into numerous national and international projects and actively participates in
international educational and training activities, both as a student and as a
lecturer. He has lectured and currently teaches courses such as Nuclear Reactor
Theory, Nuclear Reactor Decommissioning, Nuclear Reactor Materials, and also
contributes to teaching laboratory classes in Computer Networks. He is the
author of the new study program, Management in Nuclear.
In 2023, together with colleagues, he initiated the establishment of the new
Laboratory of Neutron Applications equipped with a neutron generator. He has
supervised, co-supervised, and continues to supervise 18 master’s theses and 4
doctoral dissertations, with several of his students receiving prestigious
awards for their work (e.g., Ing. F. Osuský – Aurel Stodola Award, 2021 Science
and Technology Award; Ing. M. Dobroňová – Aurel Stodola Award). His PhD
student, Ing. V. Vrtalová, received the STU Student of the Year award
in 2023.
Within his closest research group (V. Nečas, J. Haščík, Š. Čerba, J. Lüley), he
actively works on scientific and research projects with industrial partners,
including KAERI, the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Slovak Republic,
Slovenské elektrárne, and Vodohospodárska výstavba.