Jay Jiang Yu
Founder, Executive Chairman and President
Mr. Yu is a serial and leading U.S. advanced nuclear technology entrepreneur with 20 years of capital markets experience. He is a private investor in a multitude of companies and has advised a magnitude of company executives with corporate advisory services such as capital funding, mergers & acquisitions, structured financing, corporate restructuring, and other business development services geared at taking these companies to the next level. He is a self taught and private self investor, his relentless passion for international business has helped him develop key, strategic and valuable relationships throughout the world.
Mr. Yu leads the corporate structuring, capital financings, executive level recruitment, governmental relationships and international brand growth of NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. Previously, Mr. Yu worked as an Analyst part of the Corporate & Investment Banking Division at Deutsche Bank on Wall Street in New York City.
Mr. Yu is the founder and chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy Inc., a vertically integrated advanced portable microreactor technology company publicly listed on the NASDAQ Exchange. Under his leadership, NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. reached over $1B Market Capitalization in value. In 2021, Mr. Yu was honored as one of The Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in business. He is an active Philanthropist and the founder of a Non-Profit Organization that helps nurture New York City kids through sports and education. Mr. Yu worked and continued his studies at Columbia University after earning a BA in Psychology from City College of New York.
James Walker, BEng, MSc, CEng, PEng
CEO and Board Member
Mr. Walker is a Nuclear Physicist and was the project lead and manager for constructing the new Rolls-Royce Nuclear Chemical Plant; he was the UK Subject Matter Expert for the UK Nuclear Material Recovery Capabilities and was the technical project manager for constructing the UK reactor core manufacturing facilities. Mr. Walker was also seconded to Rolls Royce where he modeled configurations of RR’s Zero-Power reactor to inform confidence limits for the UK’s successor submarine’s mechanical design and worked for the Rolls-Royce Nuclear Thermal Hydraulics Engineering team investigating reactor channel thermal performance to inform new reactor designs and support the safety case for reactors in current class submarines. Mr. Walker’s professional engineering experience includes nuclear reactors, mines, submarines, chemical plants, factories, mine processing facilities, infrastructure, automotive machinery, and testing rigs.
Mr. Walker has extensive experience in engineering and project management, particularly within nuclear engineering, mining engineering, mechanical engineering, construction, manufacturing, engineering design, infrastructure, and safety management. He has executive experience in several public companies, as well as acquiring and re-developing the only fluorspar mine in the United States.
Mr. Walker holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering, and Nuclear Engineering, as well as qualifications in Project Management and Accountancy. He is a Chartered Engineer with the IMechE, a Project Manager Professional with the APM, and a Professional Engineer with the Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
John G. Vonglis
Chairman of Advisory Board for Strategic Initiatives
Executive Director of Global Government Affairs
Mr. Vonglis served as the Senate-confirmed Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer of the U.S. Department of Energy from 2017 to 2019. As CFO, John oversaw all financial matters for the Department of Energy. He was also appointed by the President as Acting Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), a federal agency focused on advancing early-stage, high-potential, high-impact energy technologies while minimizing risk to taxpayers.
Prior to his tenure at the Department of Energy, John held several key roles at the Department of Defense from 2002 to 2009, initially as Director of Management Initiatives for the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness (P&R) and lastly as Acting Assistant Secretary (CFO) of the U.S. Air Force, where he also served as the first Chief Management Officer, performing the duties of the Under Secretary.
John’s private sector experience includes senior financial and operational roles at prominent advisory, aerospace/defense, financial services, and high-technology firms, such as Grumman Aerospace, The First Boston Corporation, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and IBM. Additionally, John is a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and has advised the Army Cyber Institute at West Point. He holds a B.S. and M.B.A. from Fordham University and a Master’s in International Public Policy from The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
Michael Norato, Ph.D.
Director of Nuclear Facilities and Infrastructure
Dr. Norato has over 25 years of experience in chemical separations technologies involving used nuclear fuel and radioactive wasteprocessing, as well as experience in commercial nuclear industry regulation and nuclear facility decommissioning. His broad nuclear energy related background includes leadership positions at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM), the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL).
Dr. Norato recently retired from INL, where he served as a Senior Advisor for Research Operations and Strategic Projects, after serving four years as Division Director for Fuel Cycle Science & Technology. His primary focus been the research and development of advanced technologies for nuclear fuel cycle and used nuclear fuel management, as well as other chemical and physical separations applications.
At DOE-EM, he served as Director of the Office of Operations and Processes, as well as Acting Director of the Office of Major Construction and Modifications where he provided leadership and developed mission strategies, policy, and guidance for complex-wide engineering operations and processes, as well as to major construction projects and facility modifications to support EM’s mission. His NRC experience spanned the spectrum from lead chemical safety reviewer for the MOX Fuel Fabrication Facility license application, to component engineering reviews for new BWRs, to contract management, to nuclear materials facility decommissioning. Dr. Norato has extensive knowledge of the entire nuclear fuel cycle as well as experience in the commercial regulatory regime and all aspects of licensing, constructing, and regulating nuclear fuel cycle facilities, He also has broad knowledge of fuel cycle research development and demonstration at all scales and TRL levels. Dr. Norato holds BS, MS and PhD degrees in Chemical
David Tiktinsky
Head of Nuclear Regulatory Licensing
Mr. Tiktinsky has been an Senior Nuclear Regulatory Licensing Specialist and advisor to some of the most well known advanced nuclear technology companies in the nation. In this role, he assisted current and new applicants and licensees in licensing nuclear fuel cycle and medical isotopes facilities regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Mr. Tiktinsky previously had 39 years of licensing and project management experience working for the NRC. He has extensive knowledge of the commercial regulatory regime and all aspects of licensing, constructing, and regulating nuclear fuel cycle and medical isotopes facilities. His experience and knowledge can benefit NRC applicants and licensees seeking to successfully navigate the NRC fuel cycle related licensing process in an effective and efficient manner.
Mr. Tiktinsky has extensive knowledge in implementing review guidance from NUREG-1520, the Standard Review Plan for Fuel Cycle Facilities License Applications. His 39-year NRC career included Project Management of complicated fuel cycle facility licensing actions including commercial and government sponsored activities, and medical isotope facilities. It also included evaluations of security aspects of radioactive material facilities after the attacks of 9/11/01, certification of radioactive material transportation packages, and high-level nuclear waste disposal.
Mr. Tiktinsky has a B.S. degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Arizona.
Eric R. Oesterle
Head of Microreactor Regulatory Licensing
Mr. Oesterle previously had over 38 years of licensing, regulatory, project management, engineering, industrial and construction experience primarily in the nuclear power industry and at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). He has extensive knowledge of the regulatory frameworks for licensing, construction, operation, and regulation of new reactors, small modular reactors, and advanced non-light water microreactors. As a Senior Nuclear Reactor Licensing Specialist, his experience and knowledge can greatly benefit NRC applicants and licensees seeking to successfully navigate the NRC’s power reactor related licensing processes in an effective and efficient manner.
Mr. Oesterle has extensive knowledge in developing policy, rulemaking and guidance for applicants for new and advanced reactor applications. His 15-year NRC career included several supervisory roles as Branch Chief for Operating Reactor Licensing, Reactor Safety Systems, License Renewal and Subsequent License Renewal. Leading edge roles at the NRC included project management of several new reactor design certifications and license applications, development of guidance for technical content of new reactor applications, as well as guidance for risk-informed, performance-based, technology-inclusive and advanced non-light water reactor applications. His over 20 years of nuclear industry experience included numerous construction-intensive projects such as steam generator replacements and other operating plant modifications such as emergency diesel generator additions, cooling water piping replacements, etc. Most recently, Mr. Oesterle has been involved with well-known advanced nuclear technology companies in the application of the NRC’s risk-informed, performance-based, technology-inclusive and advanced non-light water reactor application guidance as well as industry guidance in Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) document NEI 18-04 for developing the licensing and safety cases for these applications while also providing critical input to NEI efforts to advance proposals for more efficient and effective licensing of microreactors.
Mr. Oesterle has a B.S. degree in Nuclear Engineering for the Pennsylvania State University.
Carlos O. Maidana, Ph.D., MBA
Head of Thermal Hydraulics and Space Program
Dr. Carlos O. Maidana is a distinguished physicist and research engineer with over 22 years of international experience in the fields of engineering, applied sciences, and nuclear systems. As the founder of MAIDANA RESEARCH, Dr. Maidana has led a diverse range of cross-disciplinary projects, covering the entire design and development cycle from concept studies to optimization using advanced theoretical, computational, and experimental techniques. Dr. Maidana has held prominent positions in some of the most prestigious research institutions globally. He served as a Senior Research Fellow and Scientific Secretary at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, where he contributed significantly to advancements in high energy particle accelerators. Additionally, he was a Research Associate at the Idaho National Laboratory, where he focused on space nuclear systems and technologies, working on joint DoE/NASA projects. Dr. Maidana has been awarded several DoE SBIR grants for his pioneering work in advanced nuclear technologies. Dr. Maidana is recognized as the leading authority worldwide in engineering magneto-hydrodynamics, particularly in the area of annular linear induction pumps (ALIPs) and thermo-hydraulics of liquid metals and molten salts. His expertise in these fields has been instrumental in advancing the technology and its applications.
Dr. Maidana holds a Ph.D. in Engineering and Applied Science (Physics) from Idaho State University, an M.Sc. in Physics from Michigan State University, and a B.Sc. in Physics and Applied Physics from Universidad Tecnológica Nacional in Argentina. He has also completed post-doctoral training in Applied Engineering for Space Nuclear Systems at Washington State University. Additionally, he holds various certificates in research commercialization and project management. At Nano Nuclear Energy, Dr. Maidana is task to help grow the company’s consulting services and the DoE SBIR Phase 3 Project Director, where he plays a crucial role in the development and commercialization of advanced technologies. His work is pivotal in optimizing and simplifying the design of Nano Nuclear’s ‘ODIN’ microreactor, a clean energy, advanced portable micro nuclear reactor in development.
Winston Chow, MBA, MPA
VP of Global Policy
Mr. Chow has served as Senior Advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy on East Asia, where he implemented two US-China Agreements on clean energy between Presidents Barack Obama and Hu Jintao. He’s also worked across Asia and Africa as a diplomat for intergovernmental U.N. observer-organization, Global Green Growth Institute, to decarbonize China’s global Belt and Road Initiative. The U.S. Department of Energy has bestowed two meritorious service awards for his work.
Mr. Chow has also led over $26 million in projects for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), co-managing the U.S. Government’s flagship clean energy development initiative in Southeast Asia. His work has catalyzed a joint partnership between the United States and Australian governments to drive energy infrastructure transition through Thailand, China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
In the private sector, Mr. Chow served as Senior Director for New York clean energy startup CleanEdison, building its government business across 48 States. He is Senior China Advisor on Energy, Environment and Social Impact to Al Gore-backed company, Globality Inc., and frequent news commentator on energy and environment for China Global Television Network. Mr. Chow holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s in international politics from Columbia University in the City of New York, and an M.B.A. from the Kelley School of Business.
Tom Cuce
President of Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc.
Tom Cuce’s expertise has been honed by over 25 years of driving transformative supply chain solutions and profitability through strategic planning and process optimization across the global logistics and package delivery industry. He began his career in 1983 as a package handler for UPS in Long Island, NY. Mr. Cuce went on to hold numerous positions with the multinational shipping & receiving and supply chain management company, including Vice-President of Package Operations and Southern California District Manager, before serving as UPS President of Global Transportation.
During his time in the role, he served as a member of the Exec Business Planning Unit, with a capital budget expenditure of $16 billion and was the driving force behind a plethora of transformative programs, projects and cost-cutting initiatives. Mr. Cuce, an active member in the community, also spent several years working with the Las Vegas Urban League and served as a board member for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles – Antelope Valley Region, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, the United Way of Orange County, the Jessie Rees Foundation and the Orange County Business Council.
Today, he serves on the Advisory Board of several companies and is the Founder and President of Summit View Solutions.
Jaisun Garcha, MBA, CPA, CGA
Chief Financial Officer
Jaisun Garcha has 20 years of experience in financial management, corporate governance, and risk management in both public and private companies, including high-growth and start-up stage organizations. He has taken several companies public through IPOs and RTOs and has been the CFO for multiple publicly traded companies in the last decade.
Wayne Hao, MBA
VP of Corporate Development
Wayne Hao is a seasoned international executive with over 20 years of global experience in entrepreneurship, corporate growth, and business development.
Previously, Mr. Hao served as the VP of Business Development and Head of China for CRAVE Global, a company that partners with Western celebrities and invests in and incubates social media brands for them in China. In this role, he led global strategy and operations for CRAVE’s business in China, including business development, recruiting, operations, and special initiatives for high-profile celebrities. Wayne successfully facilitated deals for renowned celebrities and brands, and secured CRAVE’s joint ventures and strategic partnerships, including a partnership with the world’s largest supply chain company.
In past roles, Mr. Hao has held leadership positions in numerous successful entrepreneurial ventures. As the Chief Financial Officer and founding member of entertainment venture Audio Up, he played a central role in building and launching the company, which included securing a $4.45M Series A round with MGM Studios as the lead investor. As the Founder and CEO of Principae Trading and Capital, he sourced and structured international commodities transactions and originated opportunistic development deals. Mr. Hao also has helped build two early-stage startups with successful exits with over $150M in total exit value and served as an investment analyst for an $800M venture investment firm.
Mr. Hao currently also serves on the leadership team of the Wharton Alumni Club of Southern California as VP and Co-Head of Events, organizing over 200 annual professional and social events for over 5,000 Wharton alumni in Southern California. He also serves as a Board Member of the non-profit Asian Business League, which has served Asian entrepreneurs and businesses since 1984. Mr. Hao holds a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis.
Oscar Leandro, MBA
VP of International Business
Oscar Leandro is an accomplished investment professional and entrepreneur with a robust track record in alternative investments and energy development. With a global perspective honed through diverse international experiences, Oscar brings a wealth of expertise in frontier market investments, corporate finance, and technology-driven ventures.
Oscar served as a Principal at Green Swan Capital, an alternative investment firm, focusing on innovative gas flaring reduction projects in frontier markets. His strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in sourcing investment opportunities across Latin America. He has also held pivotal roles in financial advisory at Deloitte Consulting, contributing to major M&A transactions and valuations across various industries, and as a Summer Fellow at KAUST Investment Management Company, where he developed special situations investment strategies for one of the world’s largest endowments.
Oscar holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Arts in International Studies from The Wharton School and the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. Awarded a prestigious merit-based fellowship, he conducted his master’s thesis on the social and environmental impacts of electric vehicle supply chains. He led healthcare consulting projects in East Africa for the Wharton Global Health Volunteers and served as president of the Wharton Latin American Student Association. His international experiences are complemented by summer exchanges at the London School of Economics, Peking University, and Sciences Po Paris. Oscar is a Westerwelle Foundation Young Founder, a distinction awarded to outstanding entrepreneurs from emerging markets, and he earned a Global Competitiveness Leadership certificate from Georgetown University as part of a fellowship sponsored by Georgetown’s Latin American Board.
Ross Mitchell
Mr. Mitchell is from Indiana, where he completed a bachelors degree in Nuclear Engineering at Purdue University. While there he pursued project and course work related to Small Modular Reactors and advanced reactor technology.
Josey Anna Widhalm
Ms. Widhalm is originally from Colorado and has a diverse background in organizational skills, social media management, executive event planning.
Josey is responsible for NANO Nuclear Energy’s conferences, social and public relations engagement, content origination and corporate office management.
Amy Moore
Amy Moore is an experienced Office Director and Consultant with a strong background in administrative support and project management. With a history of overseeing major projects and leading cross-functional teams, Amy excels in strategic planning, communication, and problem-solving. As a former public educator and mentor, she brings a unique leadership perspective, focusing on collaboration, growth, and effective execution. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Kentucky University and is also a skilled concert pianist and violist, demonstrating a commitment to discipline and creativity. Amy is dedicated to delivering results and supporting both organizational success and the development of those she works with.