Brian Vance, the Department of Energy’s former manager of nuclear cleanup at the Hanford Site in Washington state is the new site leader at the Framatome nuclear fuel plant in Richland, Wash.
The Tri-City Herald reported Monday Vance started working as a manager for the Framatome fuel manufacturing plant July 9. The company subsequently confirmed Vance’s hiring in an emailed statement and fact sheet to Exchange Monitor.
Vance is now in charge of the Framatome plant, which employs 580 people near the Hanford Site where Vance previously worked. Vance is replacing Lance Stephens who is retiring in October after 30 years with the company and four years as site leader, Framatome, said.
“With years of extensive industry and leadership experience, Brian has built a strong track record in the nuclear and energy sectors,” said Tony Robinson, CEO of Framatome in North America, in an emailed statement. “Under Brian’s leadership I am confident he will maintain the standard of excellence that has been established at the Richland site, while rapidly expanding our operations to support the tremendous growth opportunities in the nuclear industry.”
Vance informed Hanford workers in March that he was leaving DOE effective in April after spending seven years within the top rungs of management at the former plutonium production complex. Vance said at the time he would seek a position in the private sector.
A retired Navy submarine officer, Vance also worked previously as a project manager for Framatome, then AREVA, between 2009 and 2019. Vance has also worked for Westinghouse as well as CH2M Hill.
Established in 1969, Framatome’s Richland nuclear fuel manufacturing facility delivers fuel and related nuclear products to customers in the United States and internationally, the company said.
On average the Richland plant cranks out about 90 million uranium fuel pellets and 2,000 fuel assemblies annually for nuclear reactors, Framatome said. The plant received a 40-year license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2009.