Uniting the U.S.
Nuclear Industry

For over 20 years, USNIC has served as a leading convener of the U.S. nuclear industry, bringing together stakeholders across the nuclear supply chain.

USNIC’s membership includes over 100 of the top nuclear organizations in America spanning reactor developers, utilities, fuel cycle companies, EPCs, financial institutions, national laboratories, universities, and construction engineers. Each year, USNIC hosts dozens of events, including several major conferences, workshops, and several monthly member forums that connect industry leaders with policymakers, investors, and decision-makers.

Through its events, working groups, and targeted initiatives, USNIC advances collaboration, strengthens the nuclear supply chain, and supports the deployment of the next generation of nuclear energy as a cornerstone of America’s clean, reliable, and secure energy future.

Mission

The U.S. Nuclear Industry Council (USNIC) is dedicated to advancing the growth and global competitiveness of the U.S.-based civil nuclear industry’s entire value chain.

vision

To advance nuclear energy to be established, recognized, and accepted world-wide as an essential baseload, emissions-free, reliable, and clean energy source; and promote the use of nuclear technologies for space, medical, propulsion and other advanced applications. By fostering innovation, promoting regulatory and policy advocacy, and facilitating strategic partnerships, we empower our members to maximize opportunities both within the United States and internationally.

USNIC Working Groups

Our Working Groups convene USNIC members to collaborate on key policy, market, and technical issues shaping the U.S. nuclear industry. Through regular meetings and focused engagement, these groups share expertise, identify priorities, and coordinate positions to advance the deployment, competitiveness, and long-term success of American nuclear energy technologies.

USNIC’s New Nuclear Working Group strives to advance U.S. energy security, global environmental sustainability, and American leadership by supporting the development, regulation, demonstration, and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies and fuels. The New Nuclear Working Group focuses on accelerating the use of new nuclear systems across the electric utility, industrial, defense, and other strategic applications by enhancing understanding and proactively addressing barriers to deployment.

USNIC’s International & Finance Working Group supports the export of U.S. nuclear technologies, services, and fuel cycle capabilities by advancing policies and financing tools that strengthen U.S. competitiveness in global markets. The Working Group addresses regulatory, export control, and financing challenges by educating U.S. government stakeholders, informing members about available financing programs, and facilitating engagement with international partners and buyers to help level the playing field for U.S. exporters and expand the global deployment of American nuclear solutions.

USNIC’s Front-End Working Group works to strengthen the U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain by supporting policies, market conditions, and coordination needed to ensure reliable fuel availability for existing and advanced reactors. The Working Group focuses on uranium production, conversion, deconversion, and fuel fabrication required to support today’s light-water reactors as well as the deployment of small modular and advanced reactor technologies.

USNIC’s Back-End Working Group works to advance durable federal solutions for used nuclear fuel and high-level waste management that restore confidence in the U.S. nuclear energy enterprise. The Working Group focuses on supporting congressional and executive action to reestablish a comprehensive national program for permanent disposal, interim storage, and associated transportation infrastructure, while aligning policy, organizational resources, and regulatory frameworks. The Back-End Working Group seeks to enable continued nuclear deployment and consider fuel cycle innovations, including recycling and advanced reactor technologies, that can optimize long-term waste management solutions.

USNIC’s Space & Emerging Technologies (SET) Working Group strives to advance the development and deployment of nuclear technologies in new and emerging applications beyond traditional power generation. The Working Group focuses on space propulsion and power, medical isotope production, defense and national security applications, and non-electric uses of nuclear energy such as industrial heat and hydrogen production. SET also supports coordination across USNIC Working Groups to align fuel cycle, technology demonstration, manufacturing, siting, and lifecycle considerations that enable the safe and effective deployment of these advanced nuclear solutions.

USNIC’s Environmental Management and Decommissioning (EMD) Working Group supports the environmentally responsible operation of the U.S. nuclear fleet and the safe, effective management of facilities at the end of their operating life. The Working Group focuses on environmental compliance, stewardship, and best practices that ensure nuclear plants operate safely and sustainably, while also addressing planning, regulation, and execution of decommissioning activities.

USNIC Members

USNIC Leadership

Todd Abrajano is the President & CEO of the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council, where he advocates for new nuclear technology and clean energy. He previously founded a public affairs firm and served as a senior presidential appointee, including as COO of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

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.

Caleb Ward is the COO of USNIC, overseeing all council operations and programs. He brings extensive experience in government relations and public affairs, having worked in London for a global communications firm and as a registered lobbyist before Congress across a wide range of policy areas.

Caleb Ward serves as Chief Operating Officer of the United States Nuclear Industry Council, the leading U.S. business advocate for advanced nuclear energy and promotion of the American supply chain globally. In his role, Caleb oversees all of the activities, initiates, programs, events and outreach for the Council.

Caleb operates at the intersection of domestic and international government relations, public affairs and communications strategy, which spans Fortune 500 corporations, major trade associations, and multiple governments. Internationally Caleb worked in London for several years for the global strategic communications firm Kreab Gavin Anderson, assisting international companies and governments with their global public affairs, stakeholder outreach and public relations activities. Major clients included Vattenfall, Gazprom Export, Anglo American, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, SEB (bank), and UK Trade & Investment.  

In the U.S. Caleb has represented and worked with a number of top U.S. trade associations and Fortune 500 companies and has served as a registered lobbyist before Congress on a variety of issues including Energy, Appropriations, Nonproliferation, Economics/Economic Development, Foreign Relations, Transportation, Homeland Security, Science/Technology, and Trade (Domestic & Foreign) issues.  

A native Washingtonian, Caleb graduated from Hamilton College in upstate New York with a BA in Public Policy and Philosophy and George Washington University in Washington, DC for his graduate work in Political Management.

David Jones is the Executive Director of USNIC with over 40 years in the nuclear industry. He previously held senior roles at Orano/AREVA, Duke Energy, and several engineering firms, and holds a nuclear engineering degree from the University of Virginia.

David Jones has over 40 years experience in the nuclear industry. Prior to joining the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council as Executive Director, he served in two roles for Orano/AREVA’s North American division: Senior Vice President for Fuel Cycle Policy & International Development, and Senior Vice President for the Back End Fuel Cycle Business Group. Before joining Orana/AREVA, he served as Vice President for New Nuclear Development for Duke Energy and as the Director of Nuclear Policy and Strategy.  

Previously, he worked in various capacities for E.R. Johnson Associates, Jacobs Engineering, and Combustion Engineering. He is a past Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council and is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in nuclear engineering.

Christian Conboy serves as the Business & Marketing Director for the United States Nuclear Industry Council (USNIC). In this role, he oversees and supports financial planning and reporting, sponsorship management, event planning and financial tracking, working group coordination, and management of the USNIC event calendar. He also collaborates with the USNIC team on the Key Mover Series, event logistics, contract negotiations, and member relations.  

Christian first joined USNIC as an intern, supporting all aspects of the organization before transitioning to a full-time position. Prior to that, he interned with Orano U.S., where he researched nuclear regulations, monetary policy, and public filings of decommissioning bid offers to develop a competitor analysis presented to company leadership. He also gained experience with Playfly Sports Marketing (Auburn University Division) while studying at Auburn University.  

Christian holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Marketing and a minor in Data Analytics from Auburn University.

Christian Conboy is USNIC’s Business & Marketing Director, overseeing financial planning, sponsorships, event management, and member relations. He joined USNIC as an intern and holds a Business Administration degree in Marketing from Auburn University.

Sam Wiesneth is USNIC’s Communications Director, leading media, digital strategy, and content to advance nuclear advocacy. She previously worked in communications for Senator Steve Daines and the House Homeland Security Committee, and holds degrees in Journalism and Political Science from Ohio University.

Samantha (“Sam”) Wiesneth serves as the Communications Director for the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council (USNIC). In this role, she leads earned media, digital strategy, and content development efforts to advance USNIC’s advocacy for the U.S. nuclear industry and domestic supply chain.  

Before joining USNIC, Sam served on the communications teams for U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security. Her experience in policy communications and digital strategy strengthens USNIC’s outreach to policymakers, industry leaders, and the public.  

Sam holds a B.S. in Journalism (News and Information) and a B.A. in Political Science from Ohio University.