Proven Experts
Bill Stokes
President and Founder
Bill has shaped the US nuclear industry for over 50 years. From his early career working on advanced fast reactors to leading major DOE projects and pioneering commercial nuclear deployment strategies, he has built a reputation as a leader who delivers results. His commitment to minimizing waste, whether of time, money, or resources, is at the heart of FANCO’s mission. By combining his unmatched experience with a team of some of the brightest minds in science and engineering, Bill has created a reactor design that solves the critical issues facing nuclear energy today.
Alan Waltar, Ph.D.
Director and EVP Nuclear Systems
Alan is a globally recognized expert in fast reactor technology and a leading voice in nuclear safety and commercialization. As an author of the seminal Fast Breeder Reactors textbook and a former Director of Nuclear Energy at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Alan has influenced both national and international nuclear policies. His leadership in reactor technology extends from academic research to real-world applications, ensuring that FANCO’s reactors are grounded in proven, efficient, and scalable technology.
James Conca, Ph.D.
EVP Waste Management
Dr. James Conca is a leading geochemist and energy scientist with over 35 years of expertise in nuclear waste management, environmental remediation, and energy policy. He has held key roles at NASA, Los Alamos, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, contributing to major projects like Yucca Mountain and WIPP. A Forbes contributor and trustee of the Herbert M. Parker Foundation, he is a prominent voice in nuclear energy and sustainability.
David Lucoff, Ph.D.
EVP Operations and Engineering
Dr. David Lucoffis an expert in fast reactor design with more than 30 years technical and management experience in the industry. He has worked on several projects for Dept. Of Energy and EnergySolutions, including working with TerraPoweron the "TravelingWave" fast spectrum reactor. Prior to this, he was a Director at INEEL and held technical and management positions at the Hanford Site for over 20 years. His technical background is centered around Liquid Metal Reactor design, safety, and performance.He is the recipient of the American Nuclear Society “Reactor Technology Award,”
Gianluca Cicogna
Director and EVP Finance
A serial entrepreneur with decades of experience investing in and helping grow businesses in technology, telecommunications and farming. His career started in Asia, where he focused on entertainment, telecoms and M&A. He was involved in building the first fiber optic cable TV business in the Philippines, growing the 1997 Group of restaurants and advising clients on significant cross-border transactions. From there Gianluca moved to NYC, where he co-founded the successful Zanett funds, investing in 40+ mostly technology businesses, whilst being involved in a telecom business in South Africa and a fresh fruit farming group, which today is a major exporter of table grapes and Medjool dates.
Mark Reddemann
Chief Executive Officer
A unique background as CEO in nuclear plant operations and nuclear plant constructions, Mark serves as the CEO of Energy Northwest where he was responsible for providing energy services to 29 member utilities. Following that, he was CEO of Nawah Energy Company, delivering the first unit of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi. Previously Mark served as a vice president with Xcel Energy, Nuclear Management Company, Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and Wisconsin Electric.
Eric McFarland, Ph.D
Director and EVP Nuclear Technology
Eric studied Nuclear Engineering at Berkeley and MIT before moving to the Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Department of UCSB. He has published over 190 scientific papers and is the inventor of over 25 patents. Eric was awarded the Dow Chemical Chair of Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland, Australia and spent two-years as the founding Director of the Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation.
Kenneth L. Peddicord, Ph.D.
EVP Nuclear Fuels and Policy
Dr. Kenneth L. Peddicord is a leading expert in nuclear engineering with a career spanning academia, research, and policy. A professor emeritus at Texas A&M, he has served as Head of Nuclear Engineering, Director of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station, and founding Director of the Nuclear Power Institute. Appointed to the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, his work has shaped reactor design, fuel behavior, and next-generation nuclear systems. With over 200 publications, Dr. Peddicord remains a key voice in advancing nuclear energy.
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Julie Bentz, Ph.D.
EVP Nuclear Safety
A serial entrepreneur with decades of experience investing in and helping grow businesses in technology, telecommunications and farming. His career started in Asia, where he focused on entertainment, telecoms and M&A. He was involved in building the first fiber optic cable TV business in the Philippines, growing the 1997 Group of restaurants and advising clients on significant cross-border transactions. From there Gianluca moved to NYC, where he co-founded the successful Zanett funds, investing in 40+ mostly technology businesses, whilst being involved in a telecom business in South Africa and a fresh fruit farming group, which today is a major exporter of table grapes and Medjool dates.