ZettaJoule Strengthens Executive Team with Appointment of Seasoned Nuclear Industry Legal Expert Kym Harshaw as General Counsel.
Trailblazing nuclear industry executive and accomplished attorney Kym Harshaw has been appointed General Counsel of ZettaJoule Inc., marking a significant addition to the leadership team of the advanced small modular reactor (SMR) developer. Her appointment comes as the company continues to accelerate its efforts to bring next-generation nuclear technologies to market.
In her new role, Harshaw will oversee ZettaJoule’s legal strategy and risk management across a wide range of regulatory, corporate, and commercial matters. She will serve as a key advisor to the company’s chief executive officer and senior leadership team, while also directing governance initiatives, negotiating major contracts, and supporting strategic partnerships. Her responsibilities will be central to ensuring the company maintains strong compliance and operational integrity as it expands.
Harshaw brings a rare combination of operational experience and legal expertise to the position. She is admitted to practice law in Texas, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, and has spent decades working in the nuclear energy sector in both technical and executive capacities. Most recently, she served as Interim President and CEO of STP Nuclear Operating Company, where she was also a member of the board of directors. In that role, she oversaw operations at one of the largest nuclear generating stations in the United States, guiding both strategic and day-to-day decisions at a critical energy facility.
Her career includes a number of historic achievements. Harshaw was among the first women in the United States to complete the demanding process required to earn a Senior Reactor Operator license. This credential authorizes its holders to make safety-critical decisions and lead control room operators at commercial nuclear plants, underscoring her deep technical understanding of nuclear operations and safety protocols.
Commenting on her new role, Harshaw expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to help advance SMR technology. She noted that after spending many years in the nuclear industry, she sees tremendous potential in bringing small modular reactors to market, particularly those based on proven reactor designs. She described the work as both exciting and meaningful for the future of energy.
ZettaJoule’s leadership also highlighted the importance of her appointment. Co-Founder, President, and CEO Mitsuo Shimofuji said the company feels privileged to welcome Harshaw to the team, emphasizing that her expertise will be instrumental in building a strong foundation as the company grows. Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer Jeff Harper echoed that sentiment, describing her as an exceptional addition whose experience will strengthen the company’s corporate governance and regulatory strategy.
ZettaJoule Inc. is focused on developing advanced SMRs capable of operating at temperatures up to 950°C. These high-temperature reactors are designed to deliver continuous, zero-carbon heat and power for industrial and commercial customers, addressing growing global demand for reliable clean energy. The company’s technology aims to support applications such as industrial process heat, hydrogen production, and power generation, helping industries transition away from fossil fuels.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas—often referred to as the Energy Capital of the World—ZettaJoule and its affiliated companies also maintain offices in the Washington, D.C. area, as well as in Tokyo and Mito, Japan. With operations spanning key energy and policy hubs, the company is positioning itself to play a major role in the next generation of nuclear energy deployment worldwide.
About ZettaJoule Inc.
ZettaJoule Inc. is developing advanced small modular reactors that will operate at temperatures up to 950°C, providing uninterrupted zero-carbon heat and power solutions for industrial and commercial customers in the U.S. and abroad. ZettaJoule and its affiliated companies have offices in Houston, Texas – the Energy Capital of the World – as well as the Washington, D.C. area, Tokyo and Mito, Japan.
