Todd Abrajano
President & CEO
Todd Abrajano is the President & CEO of the United States Nuclear Industry Council where he serves as USNIC's chief advocate in its mission to advance the development and implementation of new nuclear technology and services to secure the U.S. economic supply chain in America and abroad. Additionally, he leads the promotion of USNIC’s vision to advance nuclear energy to be established, recognized, and accepted world-wide as an essential baseload, emissions-free, reliable, and clean energy source, as well as promoting the expansion of the use of nuclear for space, medical, propulsion and other advanced applications.
Previously, Mr. Abrajano was the Founder and President of Turning Point Public Affairs. For nearly 13 years, the firm assisted corporate, non-profit, and political clients with international markets and business development, government affairs, strategic communications, political strategy, and legislative and regulatory grassroots advocacy.
From 2017- 2021, Mr. Abrajano served as a senior-level presidential appointee in the U.S. Federal Government. He began his federal service at the U.S. Department of Commerce as the Department's White House Liaison and a top advisor to former Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. In 2018, he transitioned to the U.S. Trade and Development Agency where he ultimately served as the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Agency, leading the Agency’s global export promotion efforts supporting U.S. jobs and businesses in priority development projects within emerging markets in the energy, transportation, ICT, healthcare and agribusiness sectors.
Caleb Ward
Chief Operating Officer
Caleb Ward serves as Chief Operating Officer of the United States Nuclear Industry Council, the leading U.S. business advocate for advanced nuclear energy and promotion of the American supply chain globally. In his role, Caleb oversees all of the activities, initiates, programs, events and outreach for the Council.
Caleb operates at the intersection of domestic and international government relations, public affairs and communications strategy, which spans Fortune 500 corporations, major trade associations, and multiple governments. Internationally Caleb worked in London for several years for the global strategic communications firm Kreab Gavin Anderson, assisting international companies and governments with their global public affairs, stakeholder outreach and public relations activities. Major clients included Vattenfall, Gazprom Export, Anglo American, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, SEB (bank), and UK Trade & Investment.
In the U.S. Caleb has represented and worked with a number of top U.S. trade associations and Fortune 500 companies and has served as a registered lobbyist before Congress on a variety of issues including Energy, Appropriations, Nonproliferation, Economics/Economic Development, Foreign Relations, Transportation, Homeland Security, Science/Technology, and Trade (Domestic & Foreign) issues.
A native Washingtonian, Caleb graduated from Hamilton College in upstate New York with a BA in Public Policy and Philosophy and George Washington University in Washington, DC for his graduate work in Political Management.
Dave Jones
Executive Director
David Jones has over 40 years experience in the nuclear industry. Prior to joining the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council as Executive Director, he served in two roles for Orano/AREVA’s North American division: Senior Vice President for Fuel Cycle Policy & International Development, and Senior Vice President for the Back End Fuel Cycle Business Group. Before joining Orana/AREVA, he served as Vice President for New Nuclear Development for Duke Energy and as the Director of Nuclear Policy and Strategy.
Previously, he worked in various capacities for E.R. Johnson Associates, Jacobs Engineering, and Combustion Engineering. He is a past Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council and is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in nuclear engineering.
Christian Conboy
Business & Marketing Director
Christian Conboy serves as the Business & Marketing Director for the United States Nuclear Industry Council (USNIC). In this role, he oversees and supports financial planning and reporting, sponsorship management, event planning and financial tracking, working group coordination, and management of the USNIC event calendar. He also collaborates with the USNIC team on the Key Mover Series, event logistics, contract negotiations, and member relations.
Christian first joined USNIC as an intern, supporting all aspects of the organization before transitioning to a full-time position. Prior to that, he interned with Orano U.S., where he researched nuclear regulations, monetary policy, and public filings of decommissioning bid offers to develop a competitor analysis presented to company leadership. He also gained experience with Playfly Sports Marketing (Auburn University Division) while studying at Auburn University.
Christian holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Marketing and a minor in Data Analytics from Auburn University.
Samantha Wiesneth
Communications Director
Samantha (“Sam”) Wiesneth serves as the Communications Director for the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council (USNIC). In this role, she leads earned media, digital strategy, and content development efforts to advance USNIC’s advocacy for the U.S. nuclear industry and domestic supply chain.
Before joining USNIC, Sam served on the communications teams for U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security. Her experience in policy communications and digital strategy strengthens USNIC’s outreach to policymakers, industry leaders, and the public.
Sam holds a B.S. in Journalism (News and Information) and a B.A. in Political Science from Ohio University.
