Our Team
Thomas Folk
Experiment Design Engineer
Dr. Thomas Folk currently serves as the Experiment Design Manager for NRIC where he specializes in reactor testing at the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiment (DOME) facility. In addition to his role with the physical test bed, Thomas is the Technical Program Manager for the Virtual Test Bed (VTB) and Digital Twin projects, which are dedicated to leveraging advanced modeling and simulation (M&S) tools to accelerate the deployment of novel reactor concepts. Thomas has a B.S. in nuclear engineering from N.C. State University, and a M.S.E and PhD in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan. Thomas studied computational reactor physics and developed advanced methods for the reactor two-step procedure.
Caysie Marshall
Technical Program Manager
Caysie Marshall serves as Technical Program Manager at NRIC where she lends her expertise to the advancement of TerraPower’s Natrium Demonstration Reactor through research and development (R&D) initiatives. In this capacity, Caysie leads multi-discipline teams focused on nuclear fuels and materials research to support next generation nuclear power. With a decade of experience at INL, Caysie has spent the last three years at the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) managing the Advanced Fuel Fabrication R&D project for Natrium. Caysie has a B.S in Industrial Technology and an M.S in Technology Management from the University of Idaho.
Salome Owusu-Achampong
Configuration Management Coordinator
Salome currently serves as a Configuration Management Coordinator with the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) supporting configuration management needs, streamlining processes, and ensuring seamless integration within project frameworks. Prior to joining the lab, Salome’s career was focused on higher education administration in Ghana and the United States. She obtained a BA and MBA from the University of Ghana and a Masters in Education (Med) from Idaho State University.
Curtis Nielsen
Technical Program Manager
Curtis Nielsen currently serves NRIC as a technical program manager responsible for NRIC’s collaboration initiatives work package as well as helping NRIC with new and irradiated fuel management and ensuring timely and efficient delivery of Demonstration of Microreactor Experiment (DOME) projects that support the next generation of advanced reactors. Prior to NRIC, Curtis worked 16 years at the Naval Reactors Facility in Spent Fuel Packaging and Storage.
Nelly Olivas
Administrative Assistant
As NRIC's administrative assistant, Nelly Olivas plays a crucial role in facilitating the organization's mission of advancing reactor development. She provides vital support to program leadership, ensuring smooth operations and effective coordination of tasks.
Marvin Fielding
Program Manager
Marvin Fielding is a civil engineer with 22 years of experience in consulting. Marvin supports NRIC’s Maritime activities and provides project support on the NRIC DOME. Marvin’s experience is mainly in planning, designing, and managing the construction of municipal water, wastewater, and transportation infrastructure. Marvin's expertise spans all project phases, from initial concepts to final implementation.
Allen Fetter
Sr. Project Manager
Allen Fetter is a senior project manager at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission with nearly 18 years of experience. For the past 12 years, he has specialized in safety and environmental reviews for new reactor licensing. Allen is on special assignment to NRIC under the intergovernmental Personnel Act. He is supporting NRIC’s Advanced Construction Technology Initiative (ACTI).
Fred Sock
Sr. Nuclear Construction Regulatory Advisor
With over 40 years of experience, Fred Sock has dedicated thirty-seven years to nuclear power plant structure design, fabrication, and installation. In his current role at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, Fred leverages his extensive expertise to enhance safety and innovation in the nuclear industry. Fred is on special assignment to NRIC under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act. He is supporting NRIC’s Advanced Construction Technology Initiative (ACTI).
Katie Mitchell
Configuration Management Coordinator
Katie serves as a Configuration Management Coordinator for NRIC, where she plays a pivotal role in providing configuration management support to the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment project as well as NRIC's test beds, and DOME and LOTUS. Katie has obtained her MBA, specializing in engineering management.
Jacob Rymer
Technical Program Manager
Jacob Rymer brings 10 years of experience to NRIC where he serves as a technical program manager for LOTUS design and construction, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and siting evaluation activities, and regulatory and economic risk reduction. He is dedicated to assisting advanced nuclear reactor companies demonstrate their novel designs to advance nuclear energy generation within the United States.
Chance Price
Technical Program Manager
Chance is a technical program manager for NRIC where he oversees the construction and infrastructure development for the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME). With over 20 years at Northrop Grumman's Propulsion Systems, he brings extensive experience in project engineering, leading the integrated product team, business development and program management, to his role.
Brad Tomer
Acting Director, Chief Operating Officer
As the Acting Director of NRIC, Brad assumes the critical role overseeing daily operations and ensuring strategic alignment with its objectives. Brad’s tenure as Chief Engineer for GE Oil and Gas provided him with a deep understanding of engineering principles and their application in complex industrial settings. Additionally, Brad's role as COO and Director of Major Demonstrations at the National Energy Technology Laboratory equipped him with expertise in orchestrating large-scale initiatives and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Brad's multifaceted background and leadership acumen position him as a driving force behind NRIC’s initiatives, ensuring operational excellence and strategic advancement in pursuit of its
mission.
Luke Voss
Technical Program Manager
Luke is the technical program manager for the advanced construction technology initiative (ACTI). Luke brings 14 years of experience to NRIC. His journey began as a nuclear engineer at the Department of Defense (DoD), where he played a role in overhauling power plants on aircraft carriers and submarines. Through this hands-on experience, Luke acquired the specialized knowledge and skills crucial for the development of the next generation of reactors.
Sanjay Mukhi
Collaboration Manager
Sanjay serves as NRIC’s collaboration manager as well as supports NRIC’s maritime activities. As NRIC’s collaboration manager, Sanjay is assisting advanced reactor companies with demonstrations in order to bring new sources of energy to market. He has prior experience working for the federal government, a Texas nuclear power plant, and as an adjunct professor all of which contribute to facilitating collaboration across many sectors.
AnnMarie Marshall
Configuration Management Manager
AnnMarie, with over 20 years of Configuration Management experience, is the NRIC Manager of configuration management where she oversees implementation of Configuration Management programs and related activities for NRIC projects and initiatives as well as the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE) and the Pele project. Prior to joining NRIC, AnnMarie was the Manager of Configuration Management at GE-Hitachi in New Plant Projects and the Infrastructure Programs Manager for the Global Laser Enrichment (GLE) Project.
Sam Reiss
Department Manager
Sam is a department manager with NRIC. He leads work with Oklo for their fuel fabrication and reactor demonstration efforts at INL, works with BWXT on irradiation of novel TRISO fuel, and leads the Front End Engineering and Experiment design work with USNC for their proposed reactor experiment in DOME. Sam worked at 3M for seven years leading work on isotope separation for nuclear applications before joining NRIC.