X-energy Appoints Daniel Gross as Chief Financial Officer, Strengthening Leadership for Commercial Deployment of Advanced Nuclear Solutions
X-energy Reactor Company, LLC, a pioneer in advanced small modular reactors (SMRs) and next-generation nuclear fuel technology, has announced a major addition to its executive team with the appointment of Daniel Gross as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The move reflects the company’s acceleration toward full-scale deployment of its innovative Xe-100 reactor technology and TRISO-X fuel across both U.S. and international markets.
With more than two decades of experience spanning energy finance, clean technology investment, and large-scale capital development, Gross is positioned to lead X-energy’s financial strategy during a transformative period. As the nuclear sector undergoes a global resurgence driven by decarbonization pressures, his expertise will support the company’s shift from advanced development toward major commercial execution.
X-energy’s Chief Executive Officer, J. Clay Sell, expressed strong confidence in Gross’s leadership capabilities and strategic insight. “Over the past 18 months, I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Daniel, both during Amazon’s investment in X-energy, and as a colleague on our Board of Directors,” said Sell. “He is brilliant, creative, and understands the scale of what lies before us. And as we drive execution across multiple commercial projects, he is the ideal CFO to bring our bold vision to life.”
Experienced Leader in Clean Energy Finance
Gross joins X-energy following his tenure at Amazon, where he served as a Director in the company’s Corporate Development group with a focus on the Climate Pledge Fund. This multi-billion-dollar corporate venture initiative targets investments in companies advancing global carbon reduction goals. His work at Amazon placed him at the intersection of innovation and financial deployment—skills he will now apply to accelerating nuclear technology commercialization.
Before joining Amazon, Gross built a distinguished career across private equity and infrastructure finance. He served as Chief Investment Officer at Climate Real Impact Solutions, where he helped guide strategic capital allocation supporting emerging energy technologies. Earlier, he was a Managing Director at Oaktree Capital Management, contributing to global energy transition investment portfolios, and a Partner at Hudson Clean Energy, a firm dedicated exclusively to renewable and clean energy investment.
His financial background also includes early-career roles at Goldman Sachs and GE Capital—two of the most influential institutions in the world of corporate finance—providing him with highly relevant experience in evaluating risk, scaling infrastructure, and enabling complex project development.
Supporting Expansion Through Major Growth Milestones
Gross joins X-energy during a period of rapid strategic and commercial advancement. The company recently completed a significantly oversubscribed $700 million Series D funding round, representing one of the strongest investor endorsements in the nuclear sector over recent years. That financing supports the continued development and deployment of the Xe-100 reactor—an advanced high-temperature gas-cooled design that is engineered to deliver carbon-free, reliable, and process-compatible energy to industrial customers and grid operators.
Gross previously served as Amazon’s designated representative on X-energy’s Board of Directors, providing direct involvement with the company’s financial and strategic planning. This familiarity with the business gives him a head start in shaping future growth initiatives.
Reflecting on his new role, Gross emphasized that advanced technology must be matched with successful execution. “Throughout my career, I’ve learned firsthand that innovative technology only matters if you can deliver it at scale, and that is exactly what we at X-energy are working to do,” he said. Gross underscored the vital need for advanced nuclear energy solutions as nations move to secure reliable clean power sources. “Next-generation nuclear is essential to meeting our global energy and climate challenges, and X-energy has the technology, partnerships, and execution capability to lead the industry into the future.”
Advancing U.S. Leadership in Nuclear Innovation
X-energy’s approach to nuclear energy stands apart through its dual technology strategy: the Xe-100 reactor and the proprietary TRISO-X fuel. TRISO-based fuel is engineered for exceptional safety performance and resilience, making it well suited for both commercial and national security applications. Together, these technologies form a platform capable of addressing wide-ranging decarbonization needs—from electricity generation to industrial heat applications, including petrochemical production, mining, and clean hydrogen generation.
With growing federal and private sector support for clean energy alternatives that provide 24/7 reliability, X-energy is spearheading efforts to revitalize domestic nuclear capabilities and expand U.S. energy leadership globally. As CFO, Gross will oversee capital planning, financing for commercial projects, and strategic investment partnerships—all crucial to scaling fleet deployment of the Xe-100 and expanding TRISO-X fuel manufacturing capacity.
Education and Industry Leadership
Gross holds dual master’s degrees in business administration and environmental management, along with a bachelor’s degree from Yale University. His passion for advancing the field of clean energy extends into academia, where he has served as a lecturer in renewable energy finance at Yale since 2016. This blend of financial, environmental, and educational expertise uniquely equips him to navigate the growing intersection of energy investment and sustainability.
Strengthening a Vision for Clean Energy Future
X-energy’s decision to expand its financial leadership team highlights the company’s transition from innovation into market deployment. As global demand rises for scalable, emissions-free energy solutions, advanced nuclear technologies such as the Xe-100 are positioned to play a critical role in accelerating decarbonization while enhancing energy security and economic growth.
Under Gross’s leadership, X-energy will continue raising capital and forming strategic partnerships necessary to bring its breakthrough nuclear solutions from concept to commercial reality. His appointment reinforces the company’s commitment to excellence in both technology development and execution.
Source Link: https://www.businesswire.com/
