Michael Kurzeja is the President of North American Young Generation in Nuclear - NA-YGN. He is a dynamic leader, an excellent emissary and an excited professional who loves what he does. He also respects and enjoys the people he works with and is developing some long term professional friendships during the long hours that he spends volunteering for NA-YGN.
A couple of weeks ago, Michael had the opportunity to testify in front of a group of Senators on the topic of building new nuclear power plants in the US. He talks about that experience, what he has learned in the industry, the value of his experience as a Marine, and the value that he sees that nuclear energy can contribute to the world’s prosperity while at the same time leaving the world better for his children than it was when he arrived.
I really enjoyed talking with Michael and I hope you enjoy listening to the conversation. Warning - listening to this podcast can be hazardous to your current career satisfaction if you are NOT in the nuclear industry. (Grin)
Jack Tuohy is the Executive Director of the American Nuclear Society. We talked about his goals for the organization, his experiences as a first responder at Three Mile Island and his desire to help nuclear professionals develop their expertise.
Other topics discussed during our conversation include:
TMI regulation changes as good for nuclear industry
Engineers as businessmen
Alternative financing for emerging nuclear businesses
Making industry vibrant and respected
Early confusion over anti-nuclear movement, young and inexperienced in recognizing what was going on.
Straightforward guy, did not appreciate the tactics of the other side, engineers tend to be direct and do not try to work an angle
Anti-nuclear attitudes seem to be almost a religion, practitioners will not be convinced otherwise.
It is almost analogous to a conversion from one religion to another to get them to change their mind.
Ownership and passion versus religious fervor.
Story about his attendance at Sierra Club meeting one year after 9-11 - tactics of fear.
Tom Sanders took office as the President of the American Nuclear Society on June 18, 2009. Rod Adams spoke with him on the day before. Tom explained his goals for the year, the importance of nuclear technology to national security and the enthusiasm that he has for “right-sized” reactors.
I am in Atlanta, GA for the American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting. Though the use of Twitter, email and face to face communications, five active atomic geeks with web presences got together for lunch. We had a wide ranging conversation that only true geeks could love.
Note: Upon further reflection and discussion, we have decided to produce a new conversation based show at a different meal. This time we are going to try to ensure that Dan Yurman (Idaho Samizdat) will be there. We are targeting tomorrow evening for a better performance.
