Speakers

Brian Smith became Idaho National Laboratory’s Nuclear Reactor Development Director in January 2025. He leads the laboratory’s strategy for accelerating the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies to ensure the nation’s energy security and promote space, defense, and critical infrastructure applications. He joined INL after a 20-year career in government in which he served in key positions in the Executive and Legislative branches, with experience in defense and commercial nuclear technology and policy. A career member of the federal Senior Executive Service, Mr. Smith acted as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactors, and as Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy. Prior to that, he served as a Professional Staff Member on the House Appropriations Committee, with oversight responsibilities for the nation’s nuclear weapons complex, defense and non-defense nuclear environmental cleanup, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and various other energy and national security functions. In previous Executive Branch assignments, Mr. Smith served as the Acquisition Director for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and as NNSA’s acting Deputy Associate Administrator for Management. He also held executive leadership roles with Naval Reactors, a joint Department of Energy / Department of the Navy program responsible for all aspects of naval nuclear propulsion. During his tenure, Mr. Smith participated in multiple interagency reviews to scope and execute the modernization of the nation’s nuclear deterrent. Mr. Smith is a retired Commander in the US Navy, with active and reserve assignments in the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, and on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations. He holds a B.A. from the University of Central Florida and an M.S. from the George Washington University.