The Nuclear Company Names Project Leader for First Fleet of Nuclear Reactors

By: The Nuclear Company via Business Wire

September 19, 2025 at 14:59 PM EDT

Hernando A. Madroñero led design and construction engineering for Vogtle units 3 and 4. Vogtle veterans George Koucheravy, Glen Chick also join out of retirement in leadership roles.

The Nuclear Company, which is leading gigawatt-scale deployment of nuclear power across America and pioneering the modernization of nuclear construction, today announced the hiring of Hernando A. Madroñero as Head of Nuclear Deployment, Project Executive. Madroñero will lead construction of the company’s first fleet of nuclear reactors and brings more than 30 years of power generation experience. His experience includes serving most recently as design and construction engineering director for Vogtle units 3 and 4 — the only two nuclear reactors started and built in the United States in more than three decades.

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Hernando A. Madroñero, Head of Nuclear Deployment, Project Executive

“Hernando’s deep experience in nuclear deployment will be invaluable as The Nuclear Company employs our design-once, build-many methodology and deployment platform to deliver fleet-scale nuclear power across America,” said The Nuclear Company Chief Nuclear Officer Joe Klecha.

Surging energy demand calls for the baseload power provided by nuclear, which also creates head-of-household jobs. However, the industry has long faced challenges, as nuclear projects are almost always over budget and behind schedule. The Nuclear Company is working with Palantir Technologies to co-develop and deploy NOS, the first AI-driven software system built exclusively for nuclear construction. NOS will transform the construction of nuclear reactors into a data-driven, predictable process, enabling The Nuclear Company to build plants faster and safer for less.

Madroñero previously worked for General Electric 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. He also worked for Exelon Corporation in various leadership positions. Madroñero began his career serving his country as an officer in the U.S. Navy.

“The Nuclear Company has assembled the nuclear industry’s most experienced team, and together we’ll deliver the baseload power that the United States needs to remain the world’s economic leader,” said Madroñero, who has undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering from the State University of New York, Maritime College and the Illinois Institute of Technology as well as an MBA from the University of Chicago. “The company's AI-driven NOS deployment platform will help us succeed in delivering gigawatt-scale power on time and on budget.”

Vogtle veterans Glen Chick, George Koucheravy join The Nuclear Company from retirement

Glen Chick and George Koucheravy, both of whom played crucial roles in the completion of Vogtle units 3 and 4, have come out of retirement to join The Nuclear Company in leadership roles as the company prepares to deploy its first fleet of reactors.

Chick, who has been named Vice President of Project Strategy and Support, brings more than 45 years of experience in nuclear plant construction and operations. He served as executive vice president from 2018 to 2024 at Southern Nuclear, responsible for the completion of construction of Vogtle units 3 and 4. His work also involved the performance of the testing and commissioning process for the units.

Chick’s industry experience also includes a decade at Exelon, where he served in roles including site vice president and plant manager with responsibilities for operational performance targets and both regulatory and security requirements. He also served as Vice President of Outages and Projects. Over his career, which began as a certified pipe welder, Chick also served in management and maintenance roles at Perry Nuclear Power Plant outside Cleveland and Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant outside Dallas, as well as Crystal River Nuclear Plant in Florida.

Koucheravy, who has been named Vice President of Procurement and Supply Chain, brings more than five decades of experience in the nuclear industry spanning public and private work. As project director for Southern Nuclear, he was responsible for construction, procurement and subcontractor performance on the large-scale buildout of Vogtle units 3 and 4, working with nearly 60 subcontracting companies. He joined Southern Nuclear to assist with the Vogtle construction after having led contractor activities for Westinghouse Electric Company on the project as well.

Koucheravy’s leadership roles at Westinghouse began with his management of the development process established for the initial test program of the AP1000 nuclear reactor technology that would be utilized at Vogtle. His team developed test specifications, procedures, sequence documents, administrative procedures and schedules, all key to being able to establish a nuclear facility using the first-of-a-kind technology.

He served his country for more than 30 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a captain. His roles included command at sea of a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, as well as command of a naval base.

About The Nuclear Company

The Nuclear Company is pioneering the modernization of nuclear construction and leading fleet-scale deployment of nuclear power across America. By integrating proven, licensed reactor technologies with digital innovation and its design-once, build-many methodology, the company aims to reduce costs and shorten development timelines. This approach leverages AI-powered real-time construction monitoring and advanced project management to streamline deployment and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery. The Nuclear Company is committed to delivering safe baseload electricity at the lowest cost, while catalyzing the nuclear industry toward rapid development in America and globally. For more information, visit: www.thenuclearcompany.com.