The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s executive director of operations, Mirela Gavrilas, has announced her retirement from the independent agency, effective June 28.
Gavrilas told the NRC staff of her retirement in an emailed statement, according to an NRC spokesperson.
“Serving as your EDO [Executive Director of Operations] this last year has been the absolute highlight of my career,” Gavrilas wrote. “I cannot thank you enough for your support and your dedication to moving the NRC forward. The benefit to society from both nuclear power and the materials activities we regulate is immense.”
Gavrilas has been with the NRC for 21 years serving in various high-ranking positions. She began her NRC career in 2004 as an engineer in the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research.
Gavrilas has been NRC executive director of operations since July 2024, replacing then acting executive director Raymond Furstenau.
The executive director of operations is the highest-ranking NRC career position and is chief operating officer responsible for overseeing NRC’s operational and administrative functions.
“I want to thank Mirela Gavrilas for her exceptional service to the agency and the public, and for inspiring the agency to strive for greatness,” NRC Chairman David Wright said in a statement. “Her work has had a significant impact over the past two decades, and I am deeply appreciative of her dedication and leadership.”
Gavrilas earned a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Maryland and Ph.D in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Along with Gavrilas, NRC deputy executive director for nuclear materials, administrative and corporate programs Robert Lewis will be retiring at the end of this month, as he said at the RadWaste Summit last week.
The NRC currently also has a vacancy in its deputy executive director for reactor and preparedness programs, according to its updated NRC Agency Organization Chart.
