Built by leaders with advanced reactor experience
Nuclear Expertise
A team that has shaped advanced reactor programs throughout the Western Hemisphere
First American Nuclear has amassed a brain trust in advanced nuclear, along with talent across every function of the full nuclear lifecycle, from technology and engineering to operations and finance.
Members of the team have contributed to some of the most significant fast-reactor and nuclear fuel-cycle programs in the United States, giving FANCO a foundation of practical hands-on experience that extends beyond conceptual reactor design.
FANCO is applying decades of advanced reactor knowledge to today’s challenge of delivering commercially viable nuclear power. EAGL-1 and BRIDGE POWER™ bring those lessons together in a platform designed around the practical requirements of commercial deployment.
Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF)
One of the most advanced liquid metal-cooled fast reactors in the world, and the crown jewel of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) advanced reactor program
Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II)
A sodium-cooled fast reactor and power plant demonstration that supported integrated fuel-cycle research, irradiation testing, and landmark passive-safety experiments.
Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP)
A U.S.-led initiative focused on advanced fuel-cycle technologies, recycling, fast reactors, and international fuel-supply and nonproliferation objectives.
Versatile Test Reactor (VTR)
A DOE advanced-reactor project intended to restore U.S. fast-spectrum irradiation and testing capability for fuels, materials, and reactor technologies.
Fuels and Materials Examination Facility (FMEF)
A large DOE facility constructed at Hanford to support advanced nuclear fuel and materials missions, including fuel-fabrication and examination capabilities.
Executive Leadership
Bill Stokes
President & Founder
Bill Stokes founded First American Nuclear Co. and brings more than four decades of experience across nuclear energy, advanced reactor development, and project execution. His career has included leadership roles supporting U.S. Department of Energy initiatives and the development of fast-reactor and commercial nuclear programs. At FANCO, he helps guide the company’s technology strategy, industry partnerships, and long-term approach to deploying advanced nuclear power.
Mike Reinboth
Chief Executive Officer
Mike Reinboth leads FANCO’s corporate strategy, commercial development, financing, and execution. He has held executive roles across global enterprises and venture-backed companies in the energy and technology sectors. His background spans commercial energy, global financial markets, project development, growth strategy, and the operation of physical power assets, experience he applies to FANCO’s focus on turning advanced nuclear technology into commercially deployable power projects.
Nick Burnett
Chief Operating Officer
Nick Burnett leads operational and transactional execution across FANCO. An attorney and experienced operator, his background includes structured finance, mergers and acquisitions, energy project development, and complex commercial transactions. He has advised private equity firms and Fortune 100 companies and has helped build and operate startup companies from formation through execution. At FANCO, he supports the commercial, legal, and organizational infrastructure required to scale the company and its projects.
Michelle Catts
EVP, Regulatory Affairs & Licensing
Michelle Catts leads regulatory affairs, licensing, and quality for FANCO’s EAGL-1 program. She brings approximately 20 years of experience developing and executing regulatory strategies for advanced reactor and nuclear fuel technologies. Before joining FANCO, she led global licensing and regulatory engagement at GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy and previously served in senior roles at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, giving her experience from both the regulator and applicant perspectives.
Patrick Schweiger
Chief Technology Officer
Patrick Schweiger leads technology development for FANCO, with responsibility for translating reactor design into an engineered, testable, and deployable power system. He brings more than 40 years of experience in nuclear engineering, advanced reactor design, testing, construction, startup, and operations. Before joining FANCO, he held technical and leadership roles supporting advanced energy programs at Oklo, TerraPower, and Commonwealth Fusion Systems.
George Malone
Chief Nuclear Program Officer
George Malone leads nuclear program execution at FANCO and brings more than 30 years of experience in test, military, and commercial nuclear operations, engineering, and regulatory compliance. His career includes nuclear plant operations and training, NRC safety inspection programs, and senior management roles at Exelon. Most recently, he served as a project director supporting implementation of GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 small modular reactor program.
Rafael Paz
Chief Financial Officer
Rafael Paz leads financial strategy, capital planning, and corporate finance at FANCO. He brings more than 15 years of international experience in capital-intensive energy and infrastructure businesses, including oil and gas, LNG, and large-scale energy platforms. Before joining FANCO, he held senior finance roles shaping multibillion-dollar businesses and most recently supported the financial development of NuScale Power’s commercial SMR deployment efforts.
Eric McFarland, Ph.D.
Chief Science Officer
Dr. Eric McFarland leads scientific strategy and technology development at FANCO. Trained in nuclear engineering at MIT and the University of California, Berkeley, he has spent decades working across energy, chemical engineering, and technology commercialization and has founded multiple energy ventures. He holds more than 40 patents and has authored more than 200 technical publications spanning nuclear, chemical, and energy systems.
Technical Leadership
Alan Waltar, Ph.D.
SVP, Reactor Physics
Dr. Alan Waltar is a nationally and internationally recognized authority on fast-reactor technology and reactor physics. His career has included leadership at U.S. national laboratories, service as President of the American Nuclear Society, and extensive work on liquid-metal fast-reactor programs. He is a co-author of Fast Spectrum Reactors, a widely used technical reference in the field. At FANCO, he advises reactor physics, core design, and fast-spectrum technology development.
James Conca, Ph.D.
VP, Nuclear Safety
Dr. James Conca supports nuclear safety, waste management, and environmental strategy at FANCO. He brings more than 35 years of experience in nuclear waste, geologic disposal, environmental remediation, and energy systems. His career has included work associated with Yucca Mountain and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, along with technical and leadership roles involving Los Alamos National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and NASA.
Phil Jensen
EVP, Nuclear Fuels
Phil Jensen leads nuclear fuel strategy and development for FANCO. He has extensive experience in advanced reactor fuel design, testing, fuel-cycle development, and multidisciplinary nuclear programs. Before joining FANCO, he developed fuel-cycle projects at AtkinsRéalis, led an advanced reactor fuel design team at GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, and managed technical programs at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Donald Todd, Ph.D.
VP, Nuclear Engineering
Dr. Donald Todd leads nuclear engineering activities at FANCO and brings decades of experience in advanced reactor design, nuclear safety analysis, and technology development. Before joining FANCO, he held senior engineering and leadership roles at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, NuScale Power, and AREVA, most recently leading PNNL’s Nuclear Engineering and Analysis Group. He is also a co-editor and contributing author of Fast Spectrum Reactors.
Thomas Koenig
EVP, Engineering Operations
Thomas Koenig leads engineering operations and the processes used to move FANCO technologies from design through commercialization. He brings more than 20 years of experience in technical manufacturing, product development, engineering systems, and scale-up across large companies and startups. Before joining FANCO, he worked on advanced energy technologies including Renuvi Energy’s electrochemical battery development program.
Rick Trotta
VP, Engineering
Rick Trotta leads engineering activities supporting the development and deployment of EAGL-1. He brings more than two decades of experience in advanced reactor development, nuclear engineering, and program leadership. Before joining FANCO, he held senior technical and management roles at Holtec International, where he supported development of the company’s small modular reactor technology and clean-energy projects in the United States and international markets.
Engineering & Operations Team
Bill Bowen
Principal Engineer, Nuclear Fuels
Bill Bowen brings approximately 40 years of experience in the management, design, construction, and operation of nuclear and chemical facilities in both commercial and government environments. He previously served as Plant Engineering Manager at the Fast Flux Test Facility, where he gained direct experience with liquid-metal fast-reactor systems. His background also includes nuclear facility management, project management, nuclear-material transportation, and remote and robotic systems for hazardous environments.
Andrew Caldwell, Ph.D.
Materials Science Engineer
Dr. Andrew Caldwell specializes in molten metals, high-temperature thermochemistry, and materials behavior under extreme process conditions. He has designed and managed multi-year experimental programs focused on materials compatibility and rapid technology development, particularly for chemical processes involving molten media. At FANCO, he applies that experience to materials selection, testing, and qualification for advanced reactor systems. He earned his Ph.D. from MIT.
Thurman Cooper
Principal, Nuclear Chemistry
Thurman Cooper brings more than 40 years of experience in nuclear-materials chemistry, actinide processing, and plutonium-related technologies. His career includes work supporting major U.S. plutonium-processing capabilities and research into isotopic migration and heavy-metal behavior in liquid-metal and molten-salt environments. At FANCO, he contributes specialized expertise in nuclear chemistry, fuel-cycle technologies, and materials behavior relevant to advanced reactor systems.
Nicole Elizarraras
Mechanical Engineer
Nicole Elizarraras supports reactor and mechanical systems engineering for the EAGL-1 program. Her background includes advanced energy systems, reactor technology development, experimental hardware, and component design. Before joining FANCO, she worked at Renuvi Energy on molten-salt battery research and the design of battery test systems and components. She earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Washington State University, where she also conducted composite-materials research.
Al Farabee
Principal Engineer, Reactor Operations
Al Farabee is a nuclear engineer with extensive experience in liquid-metal-cooled fast-reactor systems and Fast Flux Test Facility operations. His work has included analysis of FFTF operating performance, reactor operations, and materials behavior, along with technical contributions relevant to later Generation IV reactor concepts. At FANCO, he applies firsthand fast-reactor operating experience to reactor systems, operations planning, and technology development.
Peter W. Gibbons
Principal Engineer, Remote Systems
Peter W. Gibbons brings more than 30 years of experience in advanced nuclear systems, with particular expertise in liquid-metal fast reactors, remote systems, and fuel-handling technologies. He has led U.S. Department of Energy waste-retrieval programs, contributed to international nuclear standards work, and served in senior engineering roles involving isotope-production systems. A U.S. Navy veteran, he served aboard a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine and holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
Steve Hiller
Principal Engineer, Fuel Handling Systems
Steve Hiller brings more than 45 years of experience in liquid-metal fast-reactor operations, engineering, and fuel handling. He spent more than three decades at the Fast Flux Test Facility in roles ranging from reactor operator to leadership of fuel-handling and core-refueling operations, later serving as Engineering Manager for FFTF fuel-handling systems. He has since supported advanced liquid-metal reactor programs as a consultant focused on fuel-handling system design and operations.
David Lucoff, Ph.D.
Principal Engineer, Reactor Systems
Dr. David Lucoff brings more than 50 years of technical and management experience in fast-reactor design, safety, and operations. His career includes senior leadership roles at the Idaho National Laboratory and the Hanford Site, including service as Deputy Plant Manager and Operations Manager of the Fast Flux Test Facility. He has also led advanced-reactor programs and core-design activities, providing FANCO with extensive firsthand experience in fast-spectrum reactor systems and operations.
Amit Mahulkar, Ph.D.
Thermal Hydraulics Engineer
Dr. Amit Mahulkar supports thermal-hydraulics and advanced energy-system development at FANCO. His background spans engineering research, technology scale-up, and commercialization of high-temperature energy systems. Before joining FANCO, he conducted research at MIT and worked on high-temperature and methane-pyrolysis technologies, contributing to the design and scale-up of novel energy and hydrogen-production systems.
Brett Parkinson, Ph.D.
Materials Science Engineer
Dr. Brett Parkinson supports materials science, experimental development, and technology scale-up at FANCO. His experience spans high-temperature chemical processes, thermochemical systems, advanced reactor technologies, pilot-plant development, and multidisciplinary research programs. He earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College London and has authored widely cited research and patented innovations related to advanced energy and chemical systems.
Andrew Porter
Senior Nuclear Systems Engineer
Andrew Porter leads engineering work on EAGL-1 plant systems architecture, facility integration, and functional design criteria. He brings nearly a decade of experience across high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, sodium fast reactors, and lead-bismuth reactor systems. Before joining FANCO, he served as a U.S. subject-matter expert for liquid-metal and molten-salt reactor technologies at Framatome. He holds M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering from Washington State University.
Kevin Schwinkendorf, Ph.D.
Principal Engineer, Core Physics & Modeling
Dr. Kevin Schwinkendorf supports reactor core physics, modeling, and simulation at FANCO. He brings more than 25 years of experience across the U.S. Department of Energy nuclear complex, including work at Hanford, the Nevada Test Site, and Los Alamos. His background includes criticality safety, fast-reactor analysis, and complex nuclear-system modeling. He holds nuclear engineering degrees from Oregon State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Washington.
Sam Shaner, Ph.D.
Core Design Engineer
Dr. Sam Shaner supports core design and advanced reactor analysis at FANCO. His experience includes development of nuclear and chemical systems from fundamental modeling through pilot-scale implementation, with work spanning process design, simulation, and reactor technology. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Nuclear Science and Engineering from MIT and has authored publications and patents across advanced energy technologies.
Government Relations
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Julie Bentz, Ph.D.
Advisor, Policy & Safety
Major General (Ret.) Dr. Julie Bentz advises FANCO on nuclear policy, safety, and national security. Her career spans more than three decades of nuclear-related service across the military and federal government, including work associated with the U.S. response to the Chernobyl accident and service on the National Security Staff as Director of Strategic Capabilities Policy. She holds graduate degrees in nuclear engineering and national security strategy.
David Kovatch
Advisor, Dept. of Energy
David Kovatch advises FANCO on federal energy policy, national security, and U.S. Department of Energy engagement. He is a Principal at Mission Strategies and previously held senior roles at the White House National Security Council and the Department of Energy. His career includes service as DOE Attaché to the U.S. Embassies in Mexico and the United Kingdom and work involving international nuclear nonproliferation, the National Nuclear Security Administration, trade, and critical minerals.
Laura Anderson
VP, Government Relations
Laura Anderson leads government relations and public-policy engagement for FANCO. Her career spans economic development, government affairs, political campaigns, and public-private partnerships at the state and federal levels. She has worked with elected officials, government agencies, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to advance economic-development initiatives, attract investment, and align policy objectives with commercial projects. She is a graduate of the Lugar Series.