The Nuclear Company Appoints Hernando A. Madroñero to Lead Construction of Its First Fleet of Nuclear Reactors
The Nuclear Company, a leader in gigawatt-scale nuclear power deployment across the United States and a pioneer in modernizing nuclear construction methods, today announced the appointment of Hernando A. Madroñero as Head of Nuclear Deployment, Project Executive. In his new role, Madroñero will oversee the construction of the company’s inaugural fleet of nuclear reactors, bringing over three decades of experience in power generation and nuclear project leadership to the position.
Most recently, Madroñero served as the Design and Construction Engineering Director for Vogtle units 3 and 4 — the only nuclear reactors started and completed in the U.S. in more than 30 years. His extensive experience spans the design, engineering, and operational management of nuclear facilities, making him uniquely suited to lead The Nuclear Company’s ambitious fleet-scale deployment initiative.
“Hernando’s deep expertise in nuclear deployment is invaluable as we implement our design-once, build-many methodology and deployment platform to deliver reliable, fleet-scale nuclear power across the country,” said Joe Klecha, Chief Nuclear Officer of The Nuclear Company.
As America faces rising energy demand, nuclear power’s role as a stable and reliable baseload energy source has never been more critical. Beyond its contribution to energy reliability, nuclear construction also supports high-quality, long-term jobs in local communities. Historically, however, the nuclear industry has encountered significant challenges: large projects often run over budget and behind schedule. To address these challenges, The Nuclear Company has partnered with Palantir Technologies to co-develop NOS, the first AI-driven software system designed exclusively for nuclear construction. By transforming reactor construction into a data-driven, highly predictable process, NOS enables faster, safer, and more cost-efficient deployment of nuclear facilities.
Madroñero brings extensive leadership experience from some of the most prominent organizations in the energy sector. He previously served as Senior Vice President of GE-Hitachi Nuclear’s Engineering Division and as Global Executive Leader of Services Engineering, Fleet Reliability, and Operations for GE Renewable Energy. Additionally, he held a variety of leadership roles at Exelon Corporation. Madroñero began his career serving in the U.S. Navy, where he gained firsthand experience with nuclear systems.
“The Nuclear Company has assembled the most experienced team in the nuclear industry. Together, we will deliver the baseload power America needs to maintain its global economic leadership,” said Madroñero. He holds undergraduate and graduate engineering degrees from the State University of New York, Maritime College, and the Illinois Institute of Technology, along with an MBA from the University of Chicago. “With the company’s AI-driven NOS platform, we are confident in our ability to deliver gigawatt-scale nuclear power on schedule and within budget.”
Vogtle Veterans Join The Nuclear Company from Retirement
To support the deployment of its first fleet of reactors, The Nuclear Company has also welcomed two seasoned Vogtle project veterans out of retirement: Glen Chick and George Koucheravy. Both bring decades of nuclear construction and operational expertise to leadership roles, reinforcing the company’s commitment to building a world-class nuclear team.
Glen Chick has been appointed Vice President of Project Strategy and Support. With over 45 years of experience in nuclear plant construction and operations, Chick played a critical role in the completion of Vogtle units 3 and 4. From 2018 to 2024, he served as Executive Vice President at Southern Nuclear, overseeing the final stages of construction and the commissioning process for the units.
Chick’s career also includes a decade at Exelon, where he served as Site Vice President and Plant Manager, responsible for operational performance, regulatory compliance, and security requirements. Additionally, he held the position of Vice President of Outages and Projects. Chick began his career as a certified pipe welder and subsequently held various management and maintenance roles at Perry Nuclear Power Plant in Ohio, Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant in Texas, and Crystal River Nuclear Plant in Florida.
George Koucheravy joins The Nuclear Company as Vice President of Procurement and Supply Chain. He brings more than 50 years of nuclear industry experience spanning both public and private sectors. As Project Director for Southern Nuclear, Koucheravy oversaw construction, procurement, and subcontractor performance during the Vogtle units 3 and 4 build, coordinating with nearly 60 subcontracting companies. Prior to Southern Nuclear, he led contractor activities for Westinghouse Electric Company on the Vogtle project.
Koucheravy’s tenure at Westinghouse began with managing the development process for the initial test program of the AP1000 reactor technology implemented at Vogtle. His team was responsible for creating test specifications, procedures, sequence documents, administrative protocols, and schedules — all critical components in establishing a nuclear facility using first-of-a-kind technology.
Koucheravy also served his country with distinction in the U.S. Navy for over 30 years, retiring as a captain. His naval career included command at sea of a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, as well as command of a naval base.
Driving Nuclear Construction Forward
The Nuclear Company’s leadership team, strengthened by the addition of Madroñero, Chick, and Koucheravy, represents one of the most experienced groups of professionals in the nuclear energy sector. Leveraging decades of hands-on experience in reactor design, construction, and operational management, the team is positioned to execute the company’s vision of fleet-scale nuclear deployment.
By combining proven expertise with innovative technologies like the NOS AI-driven platform, The Nuclear Company aims to overcome historical inefficiencies in nuclear construction. The company’s approach emphasizes design standardization, predictive analytics, and streamlined project management, allowing multiple reactors to be built concurrently with greater accuracy and efficiency.
The company’s efforts come at a pivotal moment for the U.S. energy landscape. As renewable energy sources grow, nuclear power remains an essential backbone for reliable baseload electricity, helping stabilize the grid and supporting the nation’s transition to a low-carbon future. With its first fleet of reactors, The Nuclear Company intends not only to meet energy demand but also to set a new standard for nuclear construction in terms of cost, safety, and timeliness.
