Leadership Team

Mr. Craig is a seasoned nuclear industry veteran with extensive knowledge of our operations as the former Chair of the Board of Directors for CNEA. Jack has over 30 years of experience gained through high-level technical, management and executive leadership positions both at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Headquarters and DOE field offices, and most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer for AtkinsRéalis US Nuclear where he oversaw the operation and growth of the company’s U.S. and global nuclear business.

Ms. Preston has over 40 years of experience in high hazard operations management and oversight, and most recently worked as the Senior Director of Operations in the Fluor Mission Solutions Corporate offices. In addition to her roles as a Director of the CNEA Board and Chair of the CNL Board of Directors, Jan is also a member of the Triad (Los Alamos National Laboratory) Operations Committee and Business and Audit Committee, and a member of the Safety, Quality, and Operations Committee of the Savannah River Mission Completion Board. She spent the majority of her career working at national laboratories, including the Lawrence Livermore National Lab, the Oak Ridge National Lab, and the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, where she was Deputy Lab Director for Operations.

As Chief Financial Officer at CNL, Andrew oversees the management and implementation of CNL’s financial and business planning activities.  Andrew brings a significant depth of experience in financial planning and analysis, financial reporting, complex financial accounting including project accounting, financial operations and optimization, cash flow planning, financial system implementation and integration, governance and internal controls, and change management and process improvement.

Andrew is a senior executive with close to 20 years of experience in finance leadership roles including several positions within the nuclear sector.

Steve is a senior nuclear executive with a long and accomplished career, previously working as the Chief Nuclear Officer at AIC Global Holdings, where he identified and assessed investment opportunities in small modular reactor (SMR), clean energy and targeted radio therapy technologies. Steve has spent much of his career working at AECL in progressive leadership roles, including serving as the Vice-President of Science, Technology and Commercial Oversight, where he helped define and oversee CNL’s research program, operations, and commercial activities.

As Vice-President of Business Management, Randy Hendrickson oversees the management and implementation of CNL’s financial and business planning activities.

Prior to joining CNL, Randy’ experience includes a variety of senior executive positions in governmental civilian and military service areas including the US Navy,  the US Department of Energy, and the National Nuclear Security Administration. In these roles he led and managed large, diverse organizations in all aspects of operations, project and program management, budgeting and financial stewardship, strategic planning, risk assessment and management, data regulatory policy, information technology and data management and analysis, performance assessment, and human resources, including learning and career management.  He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and will prove to be a great asset to CNL as we strive to become a more modern and sustainable organization.

As Vice-President of Environmental Remediation Management & Stewardship and Renewal Group, Monica Steedman oversees the management and implementation of CNL’s decommissioning, environmental remediation management, waste management and site operations.

Monica brings a significant breadth of experience and a highly-refined skill set to the role, having spent much of her career dedicated to the development and implementation of business strategies for large organizations going through significant periods of transformation.

She has held senior leadership positions Executive and strategic roles for many of the United Kingdom’s leading nuclear organizations, including Magnox, Energy Solutions EU and AWE. She also served on the Board of Directors of Magnox Limited as a member of the Audit, Governance and Pensions Committees, and as a member of the Magnox Executive team, holding a position on the risk panel, portfolio management panel, validation and sanction panel, and resource management panel.

Andy is an experienced leader in the nuclear field, bringing 35 years of experience in U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear safety, operations, construction and cleanup projects at the Savannah River Site, Hanford Site, Fluor Paducah Deactivation Project, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. He has held engineering positions of increasing responsibility at the Savannah River and Hanford Sites, from Tank Farms Shift Technical Engineer to Director of Engineering, leading organizations up to 500 personnel. Most recently, he has served as the Director of NNSA Capital Project Engineering for the $11.2B Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility Project.

With experience leading innovations and process improvements, as well as the development, execution, and management of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance for multiple sites, his leadership will help guide CNL’s Central Technical Authority and the broader organization as we continue to push towards our vision of a modern, sustainable, national nuclear laboratory for Canada.

Bob will lead CNL’s Capital team in the renewal of site infrastructure at the Chalk River Laboratories campus, as well as the construction of new waste and environmental remediation facilities, and the Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre (ANMRC).

As Vice-President of Corporate Affairs, Lou oversees brand and reputation management, stakeholder relations, community investments, government relations, media relations, and internal and external communications.

Currently serving as Interim Vice-President, Business Development, Lou oversees commercial ventures, sales, and is responsible for revenue growth.

Lou has over 25 years of corporate, business development, and public affairs experience having worked at senior levels within the private sector, the Canadian federal government, at leading trade associations, and in a global public relations firm. He has an extensive domestic and international network.

As the executive authority for HSSE, Ken provides strategic direction and oversight to Heath Safety Security and Environmental (HSSE) programs and services, ensuring that they continue to serve as essential enablers of varied missions. Ken is also driving necessary improvements in the HSSE program to achieve and sustain effective, efficient compliance with regulatory requirements, integrated work control, and a culture where we are always driving toward zero accidents and injuries.

As Vice-President Legal & Insurance and Corporate Secretary for CNL, Doug McIntyre is responsible for the following functions within CNL: Legal, Insurance, Internal Audit, Intellectual Property, Corporate Secretariat, Ethics and Business Conduct and Export Import Compliance. Doug has over 12 years’ experience with CNL and AECL and has worked with the GoCo model from every possible perspective.

Doug brings over 25 years of experience in private, public and crown corporation environments, providing strategic counsel to a variety of companies in the areas of nuclear, software, water purification, medical and other technologies.

Janet is a strategic HR professional with extensive experience in labour relations, total rewards, health and wellbeing, training, workforce planning, performance and talent management, and who has worked with unions at the local and national level, as well as in organizations that are federally and provincially regulated. Janet most recently served on an Infrastructure Construction Alliance as part of the Metrolinx Smart Track program, where she was responsible for building the HR function and team from inception, and previously led the HR function for Holtec Decommissioning International. Janet has a passion for building strong teams to deliver effectively in a results-oriented environment, and in cultivating partnerships based on open, respectful dialogue and mutually earned trust

Richard (Rick) Millikin is Vice President and Senior Program Manager with Jacobs.  Rick brings more than 35 years of business and program management experience in development of integrated long-range planning, coordinating with DOE, and implementing priority planning.

He is well-versed in execution-level planning and performance reviews at DOE sites including Hanford, Rocky Flats, Nevada Test Site and Mound. Rick has been an active member of the Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG) Project Management working group since 2006 and through partnering initiatives has been a participant in DOE-led EVMS Certification teams at Brookhaven, Oak Ridge, and Idaho.  In addition, Rick has worked with DOE on development of guidance documents for implementation of DOE Order 413 and on EVMS review criteria.

Rick has strong business acumen and passion for community programs. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.

Keith Wettlaufer is President of a private consulting company. He is an advisory Board member of Kensington Capital Inc., a private equity investor. Until their divestiture, he was a Board member and audit committee chair of the following companies – a TSX publicly traded ‘fintech’ company; an infrastructure manufacturer; and a project management systems software company. He is also advisor and member of the Board of an off-road equipment component manufacturer and over a number of years, has taken on roles of interim CFO and/or advisor for a number of companies including a long term care and retirement entity, a contingency workforce business and major ship building and marine services company.

Mr. Wettlaufer has also been the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of two publicly traded companies (Linamar Corporation and InterTAN Canada Ltd.). At Linamar (2000 – 2005), Canada’s second largest automotive supply company, he was CFO and Vice President Corporate Development, and a member of the executive team, and was the management lead for the Audit Committee. In the 1980’s he was employed at Magna International first as Treasurer and then as EVP Finance and Administration of its largest operating unit, Cosma International Inc. From 2005 to 2012, he was CFO, and Executive Vice President Finance and Commercial Services (finance, IT, supply chain, power marketing) of Bruce Power a nuclear power generating company providing approximately 30% of Ontario’s electricity.

Mr. Wettlaufer is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA). He is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University with an undergraduate degree in Economics and a diploma in Accounting; he also completed a course at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) Nuclear Technology for Industry Executives.

In a distinguished public service career that spans 29 years in roles of increasing responsibility within the federal government, Yaprak Baltacioglu has shaped policy, overseen programs and operations, led transformation,  and had an impact on the direction of government affairs at the highest levels of decision making.

Retiring from public service in April 2018, Yaprak was one of Ottawa’s most seasoned deputy ministers and served as a trusted advisor to four Prime Ministers and numerous ministers. Yaprak has served as the Secretary to the Treasury Board, Deputy Minister of Transport Infrastructure and Communities, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Deputy Secretary to Cabinet, Operations.

In addition to CNL Board, she currently is a Director  on the boards of the MDA Corporation,  Deloitte Canada and Chile, and CSA Group. As well, she is a Distinguished Fellow at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and Chancellor of the Carleton University of Ottawa.

Recognized by the Public Policy Forum in 2017, Yaprak  is a proud recipient of several honours for significant contributions to the public sector, including Queen Elizabeth II Diamond and Jubilee Medals, Vanier Medal for Public Policy and the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal. Yaprak is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Yaprak holds a Bachelor of Laws from Istanbul University, an ICD.D Designation (Institute of Corporate Directors), as well as a Master of Arts from the Carleton University School of Public Administration.

Yaprak and her Husband Rob Fonberg have three children.

Dr. Michalske has over 35 years of experience in technical and organizational leadership positions in the fields of materials science, nuclear materials management, nanotechnology, biotechnology, energy science, and national security systems.

Most recently Dr. Michalske served as the Laboratory Director for the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) in Aiken South Carolina. In that position he was responsible for the management, operation, and strategic direction of approximately 1,000 employees conducting research and development for a diverse set of U.S. government agencies, foreign governments, and private companies. Under his leadership, SRNL was the safest of all 17 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratories and was recognized by the National Safety Council, Safety Leadership Award winner for 7 straight years.

Dr. Michalske oversaw the expansion of SRNL’s science and technology support for nuclear waste cleanup to include 15 sites across the continental U.S. as well as the developed of a long-term partnership with Tokyo Electric Power Company and the Government of Japan to support Fukushima site restoration. SRNL’s international programs grew significantly providing innovative approaches to safely and securely manage nuclear materials in countries including Hungry, Sweden, Italy, Belgium, Jamaica, Germany and Japan. Dr. Michalske also initiated and directed the launch of new funded programs in advanced manufacturing and cyber security. Fundamental to the laboratory’s transformation was an overhaul and modernization of the laboratory’s business systems and governance framework that improved cost effectiveness and helped build stronger partnerships with its U.S. government sponsors, community stakeholders, and private sector customers.

Prior to joining SRNL, Dr. Michalske served in various technical and leadership positions at Sandia National Laboratories including founding Director for the DOE Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Director for the DOE Combustion Research Facility, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Joint BioEnergy Institute, and Director of Energy and Security Systems.

Dr. Michalske began his technical career as a National Research Council Post-Doctoral Fellow with the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology. His scientific work has been recognized by several international awards including the Orton Lecture Award, an R&D 100 award, the Woldemar A. Weyl International Glass Science Award, and the Ross Coffin Purdy Award from the American Ceramic Society. He is a two-time winner of the DOE Materials Science Award for Outstanding Technological Accomplishment. Dr. Michalske has been invited to present keynote lectures including the Engineering Deans Institute, The Washington Conference on the Future of Nuclear Power, Climate Change and Sustainability, the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management, the Smithsonian Institution/Lemelson Foundation, and the Swiss Academy of Engineering.

Dr. Michalske has testified before the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives as well as the state legislatures of California, New Mexico, and South Carolina on topics including nanotechnology, energy security, and nuclear waste cleanup. Dr. Michalske served as Chairman of the U.S. DOE National Laboratory Directors’ Council, which advises the Secretary of Energy on energy and nuclear policy issues. He also served as Chairman of the Environmental Management National Laboratory Network. In 2015, Dr. Michalske was selected as the National Laboratory Director of the Year by the DOE Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization.

He has played leadership roles in several technical societies, panels, and advisory boards and has chaired numerous technical workshops and symposia. He is a Fellow of the American Ceramic Society and the American Vacuum Society. Dr. Michalske holds seven patents, has authored 90 journal publications, and has been a collaborator on several books. Dr. Michalske serves on several non-profit, academic and nuclear industry Boards.

Dr. Michalske received his B.S. and Ph.D. from Alfred University, New York State College of Ceramics.

Howard Lincoln Shearer is the Chief Executive Canada, Hitachi Canada, and previously served in the position of Chairman of Hitachi Power Systems Canada Ltd (April, 2012 – December 21st, 2013). After joining Hitachi Canada Ltd. in 1984, Mr. Shearer rose through the ranks to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Hitachi Canada Ltd. (2001-2012) and also served as a member of the board of directors of Hitachi Canada Ltd, a position to which he was appointed in 1999. Prior to this, Mr. Shearer served as Vice-President & General Manager of HCL’s Semiconductor division. Mr. Shearer is a consensus builder, with a strong focus on team building.

Mr. Shearer’s career spans 39 years in both the High Tech as well as Energy and Industrial sectors resulting in the accumulation of knowledge and experience in the areas of Semiconductors, Optical transmission, Power Generation (Coal, Gas, Nuclear, Renewables and Project Execution), Transmission & Distribution, Consumer (wholesale, retail), Rail Transportation, Medical Healthcare, IoT (Big Data Analytics) as it relates to Physical Security, Cyber Security, Maintenance (Predictive, Prescriptive, Preventive), Military and other industrial sectors. Mr. Shearer has served on Private and Public Sector boards, with an understanding of Regulatory, Compliance and Governance requirements in multiple verticals.

Mr. Shearer holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario., LLM (Master of Law, University of Toronto) and was inducted a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering(FCAE) in 2019.

Board and Association Memberships (Current)

• McMaster University, Dean of Engineering Advisory Board
• Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL)
• Canada Nuclear Association (CNA)
• Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF)
• Energy Council of Canada (ECC)
• Japan Society
• ISCAC (Integrated Strategic Community Advisory Council) – York Region Police
• Shoko-Kai

Special Advisory Council to the League for Human Rights, B’nai Brith, Canada

Mr. Hughes has over 50 years assembling and leading high-performance teams to bring complex projects to successful completion.  He has directed compliant nuclear operations including spent nuclear fuel (SNF) removal, waste management operations, environmental remediation and decontamination, deactivation and demolition of nuclear and other complicated structures and facilities.  He has implemented processes and systems to successfully upgrade commercial nuclear power plant equipment, construction of nuclear facilities and waste facilities.  He has directed engineering processes including software and hardware design and implemented prototype systems.  He has managed nuclear facilities establishing strong conduct of operations built on a robust foundation of health and safety practices that ensure worker protection from job hazards.

Desiree Norwegian is a member of Liidlii Kue First Nation, she is part of the Dene clan from Northwest Territories. Desiree graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration with a specialization in accounting along with obtaining a Chartered Professional Accountant designation.

Desiree’s is currently working as the Director, Indigenous Relations for Aecon in their nuclear division and is driving her passion for Indigenous engagement, rights, equality and reconciliation, gender diversity, and teach/talk about building a cleaner energy future and the huge advantage that nuclear power plays in our society (green power, medical isotopes, small & advanced modular reactors, and great careers in stem & skilled trades).

Desiree’s experience as a business owner in the nuclear sector and all the work she has done to bridge the gap between industry and Indigenous communities is a huge asset to the Aecon team and she is currently leading the way by carving a path within their projects for more Indigenous participation/inclusion through education, equity, employment, and business opportunities/partnerships.

Desiree’s passion and strong desire to make a difference for our generation and for the next seven generations has led her to advising on provincial and federal policy and sitting on many non-for-profit boards such as, Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business (CCAB) and Build a Dream.

Two of the Dene teachings are 1) take only what you need and share everything you have and 2) the knowledge you are given is not yours, it is to be passed on. Being guided by her Dene roots she inspires and shares her knowledge of everything she is taught in hopes of inspiring all people around her. She is always more than welcome to chat about opportunities, passions, or finding your why and how to change our world, every person counts!!

Jeff Kendall has been with AtkinsRéalis US Nuclear (ARUSN) for over seven years, most recently serving as President and previously as Chief Operating Officer. Before that, he served as the Vice President of Legal, Procurement and Contracts for ARUSN, where he provided vital leadership and solutions for all programs and clients. Jeff’s organization was responsible on average for 300 contract actions worth $200M USD and 515 procurement actions worth $56M USD annually. Jeff has served on the boards of several major joint venture companies, contributing valuable insights and guidance to ARUSN operations and project teams and helping its joint ventures and project leadership identify and mitigate risks. Over the last three years, Jeff has helped position and guide the company in its efforts to diversify and deliver new nuclear and clean energy projects throughout the US.

Throughout his career, Jeff has been highly involved with the Department of Energy’s Environmental Management mission. Jeff was recruited and appointed by the Governor of New Mexico to lead the New Mexico Office of Environmental Policy as the General Counsel and Legislative Coordinator for the New Mexico Environment Department (2013-2016). In this role, he managed New Mexico’s response to the WIPP radiological incident, took a risk-based approach to legacy cleanup at LANL, and focused on minimizing environmental impacts while ensuring compliance with regulations. He supervised a team of 11 attorneys, three legal assistants, and three analysts, overseeing more than 350 active cases related to federal and state regulations, including CERCLA, RCRA, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act. Jeff was responsible for administering RCRA permits for DOE/NNSA facilities (such as WIPP and LANL), commercial facilities, and DoD facilities (such as Kirtland AFB and White Sands Missile Range).

Since 2019, Jeff has been a vital participant in AtkinsRealis’ formal succession planning program, actively engaging in ARUSN’s operational issues, attending high-level executive meetings, and participating in leadership training for future senior leaders. His high energy, extensive experience with large environmental management programs, and strong relationships with AtkinsRealis will enable ARUSN to leverage the corporation’s talent and best practices for the benefit of our clients.

Jeff lives in Knoxville, TN with his wife Ashley and their two daughters, Mabel (8) and Penny (4). Jeff graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2012 with a Juris Doctor degree. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Business in 2008 and was a four-year letterwinner in football for the Oregon Ducks.

Dr. Dame Sue Ion spent over 3 decades in the nuclear sector before moving on to international leadership and advisory positions across several disciplines including skills development, energy policy, and innovation. Dame Sue is a Fellow of both the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society.

Prof. Dewi M. Lewis is an internationally acknowledged expert in radioactive pharmaceuticals using cyclotron accelerators and nuclear research reactors. Management experience has involved operations management, establishing research collaborations, mergers & acquisitions and joint venture creation in transactions usually involving isotope and medical applications organisations, as well as managing clinical trials.

Dr. Regis Matzie bring the experience of a 35-year career in the commercial nuclear power industry. Much of this career has been devoted to the development of advanced nuclear systems and advanced fuel cycles, and he is the author of more than 120 technical papers and reports on these subjects.

Dr. M. Grace Burke, an industry-recognized scientific leader in the fields of electron microscopy, advanced microstructural characterization, irradiation embrittlement, and the technology of materials for nuclear power applications.  She has approximately 30 years in industry-based R&D in structural materials research and environment-sensitive materials performance.

Prof. Michael Corradini is a globally recognized leader in mechanical and nuclear engineer with research interests centered primarily in thermal hydraulics and multiphase flow. He bring particular expertise in the areas of reactor operation, reactor safety, reprocessing and recycling, and risk assessment.

Dr. Starnes Walker is a senior executive with 35+ years of experience in developing critical programs and strategic system alignment across domestic and global technical sectors. Dr. Walker’s assertive leadership in research, development and engineering has resulted in enhanced national security.

Mr. Andrew T.B. Stuart bring deep experience in areas of hydrogen research water electrolysis and deuterium enrichment technologies. He has represented Canada in International Energy Agency Hydrogen Annex activities and is a listed inventor on over 10 unique patents and patent applications.