We helped build nuclear’s legacy. Now, we’re building its future.

1000+

years of combined engineering leadership

With over four decades of experience, the First American Nuclear team has helped shape the U.S. nuclear industry, from building today’s operating reactors to advancing next-gen designs and fuel cycles. Our experts have played key roles in nearly every major advanced reactor project in the country. That legacy powers everything we do today.

Bill Stokes

President & Founder

For over 40 years, Bill Stokes has shaped the U.S. nuclear industry, leading advanced fast reactor development, major DOE initiatives, and commercial deployment strategies. His relentless focus on efficiency, reliability, and waste reduction is the foundation of First American Nuclear Co.

With a background that spans everything from reactor construction to advanced reactor designs, Bill has earned the reputation of being a Titan of Nuclear.

Mike Reinboth

Mike Reinboth

Chief Executive Officer

Mike has a wealth of business and executive leadership knowledge gained through a background in a diverse mix of industries. He began his career in the energy industry working for Shell Energy North America and has experience in transactional sales of energy, load management of generation, and grid maintenance. Taking this experience, Mike went on to serve in executive positions focusing on building brands in several different industries. Mike has most recently led the development and commercialization of a proprietary electrochemical battery cell as CEO of Renuvi Energy.

Alan Waltar, Ph.D.

Nuclear Systems

Dr. Alan Waltar is a global authority on fast reactors, nuclear safety, and commercialization. As author of Fast Breeder Reactors and former Director of Nuclear Energy at PNNL, his influence spans national and international nuclear policy. Alan is considered one of the worlds experts in fast reactor designs.

Aside from a successful academic research and government leadership career, Alan has over 20 years working at Westinghouse where he held several leadership positions including the operation of the Fast Flux Test Facility.

Eric McFarland, Ph.D.

Chief Technology Officer

Dr. Eric McFarland is a renowned expert in nuclear technologies and chemical engineering. A Berkeley and MIT-trained nuclear engineer, he has authored over 200 publications and holds over 30 patents.

With over 30 years of experience in energy and fuels technology, Eric has founded several energy related startups and participated in research at the nations premier universities.

Nick Burnett

Nick Burnett

Chief Operations Officer

Nicholas Burnett is an experienced attorney and executive specializing in structured finance, M&A, and renewable energy project development. He has worked for top global law firms representing leading private equity firm clients, and later led financing efforts for several clean energy ventures. He holds a J.D. and B.A. from the University of Florida and an MBA from the University of Washington.

Mark Reddemann

Mark Reddemann

Senior Advisor

With a career spanning nuclear operations, construction, and utility management, Mark Reddemann brings proven expertise in leadership.

Mark served as CEO of Energy Northwest where he oversaw 1,000+ employees in the operation and management of 27 member utilities. While at Energy Northwest, Mark saved customers more than $2B earning him state and national awards. Mark also served as CEO of Nawah Energy Company where he delivered the first unit of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi.

James Conca, Ph.D

Waste Management

Dr. James Conca is a leading expert
in nuclear waste management and environmental remediation, with over 35 years of experience. His work on Yucca Mountain and WIPP has shaped critical nuclear waste solutions.

With leadership roles at NASA, Los Alamos, and PNNL, and as a Forbes contributor, James drives FANCO’s mission to redefine waste control for next-generation nuclear energy.

Kenneth L. Peddicord, Ph.D.

Kenneth L. Peddicord, Ph.D.

Policy, Fuels & Engineering

Dr. Kenneth L. Peddicord is a renowned nuclear engineer and policy expert, instrumental in reactor design, fuel behavior, and nuclear systems. A Professor Emeritus at Texas A&M, he has led the Texas Engineering Experiment Station and Nuclear Power Institute.

Appointed to the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, he brings deep expertise in waste policy and nuclear deployment, driving FANCO’s commitment to engineering excellence.

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Julie Bentz, Ph.D.

Nuclear Safety

Julie has spent her entire career focused on nuclear energy and nuclear safety, beginning with participating in our nations response to the Chernobyl disaster.

For over 30 years now, she has interfaced with the highest levels of government on nuclear safety including serving the President of the United States as the Director of Strategic Capabilities Policy for the National Security Staff.

Bentz holds a PhD and master of science in nuclear engineering from the University of Missouri, a master of science in national security strategy from the National Defense University, and a bachelor of arts in radiological health from Oregon State University.

 

Gianluca Cicogna

Director and VP of Finance

A successful entrepreneur and investor, Gianluca Cicogna has financed and built businesses across technology, telecoms and agriculture. His career started in M&A and telecom development in Asia, after which he co-founded Zanett Funds in NYC, investing in 30+ mostly technology companies.

With his extensive global network and long track record in cross-border transactions and investments, Gianluca brings relationships and knowhow to raising the capital required to drive FANCO’s success.

JJ Goldsbury

VP of Strategy & Development

JJ has over 15 years of experience as a founder and advisor, building and scaling ventures across energy, infrastructure, finance, and real estate.

His strategic ability to develop relationships is foundational in empowering teams to expand their vision and overall development both domestically and globally.

Thomas Koenig

VP of Engineering Operations

Tom has over 20 years experience in technical manufacturing and engineering processes in taking designs from concept to commercialization.

Coming from a background in Fortune 100 companies, Tom has brought his talents to several startups including Renuvi Energy where he was instrumental in the development of a novel electrochemical battery cell.

Laura Anderson

VP of Government Relations

Laura has built a dynamic career
at the intersection of economic development and politics.

A graduate of the prestigious Lugar Series, Laura has played a pivotal role in both state and federal political campaigns while fostering sustainable growth and strengthening public-private partnerships.

A History of Expertise

Category Project Role Impact
Advanced Reactors Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) Design, construction, operation; DOE restart World’s most advanced liquid-metal fast reactor
Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) Restart and operation Proof-of-concept for today’s advanced fast-spectrum reactors
Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR-I) Engineering contributions First reactor to generate electricity
Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) Key engineer in planning Next-gen fast-spectrum test reactor planning
Advanced Liquid Metal Reactor (ALMR) / Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) Development contributions Early integrated fast reactor concepts
Fuel Cycle & International Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) Advanced Burner Reactor concept design Pioneered closed fuel cycle system approach
Fuels and Materials Examination Facility Advanced post irradiation research Designed to evaluate the fuels and materials of advanced nuclear
Robotic Fuel Handling Systems Complex, patented fuel handling systems Designed for several advanced SMR concepts
Commercial Reactors Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant Lead mechanical construction engineering Major U.S. commercial reactor; decades of safe operation
Arkansas Nuclear One Construction engineering leadership Major U.S. commercial reactor; decades of safe operation
Three Mile Island Post-Incident Safety Protocols Post-incident safety redesigns Protocols adopted across the U.S. nuclear fleet