The Nuclear Energy Institute, the trade organization for the U.S. nuclear power industry, has selected a Duke Energy executive to become its new chief nuclear officer.
Nuclear navy veteran John W. (Bill) Pitesa, who has spent 37 years with Duke, will join NEI effective Dec. 1 as a “loaned executive,” according to a press release. As CNO, Pitesa will oversee NEI nuclear operations, including spent fuel management and other issues associated with the back end.
“I am thrilled that Bill is joining the NEI team,” NEI President and CEO Maria Korsnick said in a Sept. 21 news release.
Pitesa has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Auburn University in Alabama and graduated from Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program. He is a registered professional engineer in North Carolina.
Currently, Pitesa is senior vice president and chief nuclear officer at Duke. He will take over from NEI’s Joe Pollock, who has held the CNO post on a temporary basis since January. Pollock will resume his work as NEI’s vice president of nuclear generation, which he has held since 2013.
NEI’s former senior vice president and CNO, Anthony Pietrangelo, retired in January after 35 years in the nuclear business, including 28 years at NEI and its forerunner organizations.
