Seminar: Pursue a Professional Career in Nuclear Industry

Speaker: Dave Amerine, Consultant, Longenecker & Associates

Abstract:

Having spent 45 years in the nuclear industry working in both the commercial and DOE nuclear environments, I would offer some perspectives on a career in that industry.  While our country presently lacks a cohesive energy strategy, there can be little doubt that nuclear power generation needs to be part of the portfolio going forward.  From research on Generation IV reactors to working in safety analysis regulation to power plant operation to waste management, the nuclear field offers many diverse but related challenges and career opportunities.  Most analysts agree that nuclear needs an expanding role in America's energy portfolio if we are to address the increasing demand for electricity that is coupled with the GNP and increasing standard of living and address environmental concerns at the same time.  Solar and wind cannot (alone) meet those requirements.  Gas, oil, and coal affect the carbon footprint.  The rest of the world is committed to nuclear (430 operating reactors, 60 being built, 160 being planned).  The United States needs to participate from a strategic perspective if it is to influence the safety and quality criteria of those endeavors and if it is to take advantage of the business opportunities represented by the worldwide industry.  How one positions themselves for a career in this exciting field is a function of many variables and that is what I would like to talk about using my own experience as a starting point.

Bio:

David Amerine has 45 years of experience in the nuclear industry.  He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and obtained an M.S. in Management from the Naval Post Graduate School while in the Navy.  He then joined Westinghouse at the Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford Site and later worked for Combustion Engineering, Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station as a Site Manager, and Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station as Assistant Vice President.  In 1990, Mr. Amerine moved to the Savannah River Site. He returned to the commercial industry in 1997 as the Vice President of Engineering and Services at the Millstone Nuclear Power Station.  In 1999, he received an Executive Business Administration Certificate from Harvard Business School. In 2000, Mr. Amerine assumed the role of Executive Vice President of Washington Government. He went on to assume the role of Executive Vice President and Deputy General Manager of CH2M Hill Hanford Group.  Mr. Amerine was then promoted to Executive Vice President and Deputy General Manager, CH2M Hill Nuclear Business Group.  In 2005, Mr. Amerine accepted a position as Senior Vice President at Parsons. Mr. Amerine came to B&W in 2009 as Vice President of Projects at the Technical Services Group. He was subsequently selected as President of Nuclear Fuel Services in early 2010.  He led the restoration of confidence of the various stakeholders including the NRC and Naval Reactors.

Hosted by: Professor Tunc Aldemir, 292-4627, aldemir.1@osu.edu