Our Team
At Quadrant, our core values are the foundation of everything we do—shaping our operations, guiding our decisions, and defining our relationships. We believe strong leadership is essential to success and a direct reflection of those values. Our management team includes former senior military officers and seasoned CEOs, all of whom bring deep operational expertise. Likewise, our research team is composed of respected leaders in their fields, offering the resilience, expertise, and experience that drive our mission forward.
Management Team and Advisors
Dee L. Mewbourne, Ed.D.
Chief Executive Officer || Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Dee Mewbourne retired as a Vice Admiral in 2022 after 40 years of service. While in uniform Dee commanded nine consequential organizations, including being the only officer in U.S. Navy history to command three nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. He also commanded Military Sealift Command, responsible for providing global maritime logistics support for the U.S. military, two Carrier Strike Groups, and Naval Service Training Command, leading accession training for officer and enlisted personnel. His last assignment was the Deputy Commander of U.S. Transportation Command, one of 11 combatant commands within the Department of Defense, responsible to deploy and sustain joint military forces, manage bulk fuel globally, provide humanitarian assistance, and integrate the multibillion-dollar Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise.
Dee is currently the CEO of Quadrant Nuclear Industries, a startup company that aims to accelerate the expansion of advanced nuclear power technologies through strategic investments and partnerships. He teaches graduate-level public leadership at Princeton University and is a senior mentor for the Institute of Defense and Business. Additionally, Dee serves on numerous corporate and philanthropic boards as a director or advisor, including: Bold Ocean, Airspace Data, the Mary S. Peake Fellowship, the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, and the Intruder Association.
A lifelong learner, Dee earned a BS from the U.S. Naval Academy, an MBA from Colorado State University, and his doctorate from Vanderbilt University. He completed the Navy’s nuclear power training program and multiple prestigious leader development courses and is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. In addition to over 60 military decorations, Dee received the Carl Vinson Leadership Award (1979), Truman Foundation Leadership Award (2012), National Defense Transportation Association Leadership Award (2022), and Ronald N. Priddy NACA-CRAF Partners in Airlift Medal (2022).
In his spare time, Dee enjoys fitness, flying, sailing, and playing with his six beautiful granddaughters.
Dee is currently the CEO of Quadrant Nuclear Industries, a startup company that aims to accelerate the expansion of advanced nuclear power technologies through strategic investments and partnerships. He teaches graduate-level public leadership at Princeton University and is a senior mentor for the Institute of Defense and Business. Additionally, Dee serves on numerous corporate and philanthropic boards as a director or advisor, including: Bold Ocean, Airspace Data, the Mary S. Peake Fellowship, the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, and the Intruder Association.
A lifelong learner, Dee earned a BS from the U.S. Naval Academy, an MBA from Colorado State University, and his doctorate from Vanderbilt University. He completed the Navy’s nuclear power training program and multiple prestigious leader development courses and is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. In addition to over 60 military decorations, Dee received the Carl Vinson Leadership Award (1979), Truman Foundation Leadership Award (2012), National Defense Transportation Association Leadership Award (2022), and Ronald N. Priddy NACA-CRAF Partners in Airlift Medal (2022).
In his spare time, Dee enjoys fitness, flying, sailing, and playing with his six beautiful granddaughters.
Steven J. Winston
Chief Technologist
Chemical engineer/nuclear engineer/neuroscientist. Career launched in nuclear fuel reprocessing in the early 1970s at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant on what was then known as the National Reactor Testing Station (now the Idaho National Laboratory). Early experience as a research engineer designing nuclear processes ultimately translated to responsibility for power plant design and construction and from there to senior management coming back in full circle to an executive role in running the Idaho National Engineering Lab.
Founder and moderator of CrisiScience Collaborative, a weekly inter-disciplinary cross-section of commercial enterprise, renowned health sciences researchers/clinicians/practitioners, and technologists. Affiliations of participants span a spectrum of medical institutions from around the globe.
Founder and Chief Technical Officer of Transcending Incrementalism, a 501(c)(3) corporation dealing with global challenges in food security, public health prophylaxis against rapid transmission pathogenesis, and meaningful industrial adaptation towards mitigating climate change impacts.
Leader of international consortium to deliver nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceuticals to Lesser Developed Countries in Africa, MENA, and SE Asia.
Independent technical advisor to multiple corporations and public institutions. Primary role as technology clearinghouse at the nexus of R&D and commercial application along with strategic reconnaissance.
More than fifty years of experience in various aspects of research, engineering, and construction, serving in a variety of senior management roles for major corporations.
· 1999–Present: Independent Technical Consultant
· 1994–1999: Vice President, Lockheed Martin INEL M&O Contract
· 1992–1994: Vice President, Parsons Engineering
· 1990–1992: Vice President and General Manager, AWC-Lockheed
· 1984–1990: Manager Power Plant Design, Westinghouse Electric Corporation
· 1976–1984: Regional Director, Energy Incorporated
· 1973–1976: Research Engineer, Idaho Chemical Processing Plant, Allied Chemical.
Specific expertise in nuclear sciences, environmental stewardship, large scale-complex construction, advanced energy systems, and process engineering.
Very diverse hands-on experience base ranging from nuclear fuel reprocessing, to developing novel accelerator-based methods for medical isotope production, to managing major first-of-a-kind research and engineering projects. Managed diverse large-scale design and construction projects ranging from disposition of transuranic wastes to building and starting up entire power plants and chemical processes. Oversight in excess of $1.5 billion of capital projects at any particular time.
Founder and moderator of CrisiScience Collaborative, a weekly inter-disciplinary cross-section of commercial enterprise, renowned health sciences researchers/clinicians/practitioners, and technologists. Affiliations of participants span a spectrum of medical institutions from around the globe.
Founder and Chief Technical Officer of Transcending Incrementalism, a 501(c)(3) corporation dealing with global challenges in food security, public health prophylaxis against rapid transmission pathogenesis, and meaningful industrial adaptation towards mitigating climate change impacts.
Leader of international consortium to deliver nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceuticals to Lesser Developed Countries in Africa, MENA, and SE Asia.
Independent technical advisor to multiple corporations and public institutions. Primary role as technology clearinghouse at the nexus of R&D and commercial application along with strategic reconnaissance.
More than fifty years of experience in various aspects of research, engineering, and construction, serving in a variety of senior management roles for major corporations.
· 1999–Present: Independent Technical Consultant
· 1994–1999: Vice President, Lockheed Martin INEL M&O Contract
· 1992–1994: Vice President, Parsons Engineering
· 1990–1992: Vice President and General Manager, AWC-Lockheed
· 1984–1990: Manager Power Plant Design, Westinghouse Electric Corporation
· 1976–1984: Regional Director, Energy Incorporated
· 1973–1976: Research Engineer, Idaho Chemical Processing Plant, Allied Chemical.
Specific expertise in nuclear sciences, environmental stewardship, large scale-complex construction, advanced energy systems, and process engineering.
Very diverse hands-on experience base ranging from nuclear fuel reprocessing, to developing novel accelerator-based methods for medical isotope production, to managing major first-of-a-kind research and engineering projects. Managed diverse large-scale design and construction projects ranging from disposition of transuranic wastes to building and starting up entire power plants and chemical processes. Oversight in excess of $1.5 billion of capital projects at any particular time.
John T. Preston
Director
John T. Preston is a Director for Quadrant Nuclear Industries and is also a Science Advisor for Quadrant Management. Most of Mr. Preston’s career (30 years) was at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, M.I.T., where he was the Director of Technology Development (and Licensing). In that capacity he was responsible for the commercialization of intellectual property developed at M.I.T. and oversaw activities that led to the creation of hundreds of new technology-based companies as well as the negotiation of thousands of licenses with existing companies. He also oversaw many complex negotiations including the creation of the U.S. standard for high-definition television, while representing M.I.T. on the HDTV Grand Alliance.
Mr. Preston was awarded the rank of “Knight of the Order of National Merit of France” by French President Mitterrand. He was awarded the “Hammer Award for Reinventing Government” by Vice President Gore. He is the recipient of numerous other awards and honors including the Thomas Jefferson Award, given to the leading American in technology transfer and the Renaissance Engineering and Science award from Stevens Institute of Technology. He testified before Congress on seven occasions as an expert in technology and advised the Clinton White House in preparation for the Kyoto Summit. He chaired meetings for President George H. W. Bush (announcing the President’s technology initiative) and King Charles (Prince of Wales Technology Awards).
Mr. Preston is Honorary Alum of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received a B.S. in physics from the University of Wisconsin and a M.B.A. from Northwestern University.
Michael Wettlaufer
Advisor || Rear Admiral US Navy (Retired)
A native of Alexandria, Virginia, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology Colorado State University, holds a Master of Science in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee and Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
Commissioned in the U.S. Navy in 1986, he earned wings of gold in 1988, is a Navy Test Pilot School graduate (Class 104) and completed Navy Nuclear Power Training in 2008.
Prior to retiring after nearly 38 years in the Navy, Mike served as the 28th Commander, Military Sealift Command from June 2019 to September 2023, operating the nation’s largest fleet: 150+ government and commercially owned and operated vessels providing global logistics and special mission support to the Navy and Joint Force. His prior flag officer assignments included Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3 from August 2017 to June 2019 including an around-the-world deployment in 2018-2019, and he served as US European Command Deputy for Policy, Plans, Strategy, Capabilities and Resources (J5/8) from 2016-2017.
Prior to flag officer selection, Wettlaufer commanded USS John C Stennis (CVN 74), USS Denver (LPD 9) and the Dambusters of Strike Fighter Squadron ONE NINE FIVE (VFA-195). He deployed numerous times to the Atlantic and Pacific, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Gulf flying the A-6E Intruder from the deck of the USS America (CV 66), the FA-18C Hornet from USS Independence (CV 62) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), and enjoyed multiple deployments in the Western Pacific aboard Denver.
In addition to flight training, his shore assignments included Commander 2nd Fleet as an aircraft carrier scheduler, test pilot and landing signals officer with Strike Aircraft Test Directorate at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. Later, he was assigned to the Empire Test Pilots’ School as a fixed wing tutor and experimental test pilot on exchange with the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. He was a Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group associate fellow (SSG XXI) and served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as an analyst for the deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO Policy.
Wettlaufer has 3,800 hours flying 50 different aircraft types and over 900 arrested landings on 14 carriers. In addition to ship suitability flight test, he is experienced in cockpit design, human-machine interface, simulation, advanced flight control and variable stability flight-control systems. He was privileged to conduct developmental Joint Strike Fighter (F-35B) flight control trials as part of an international team while underway aboard HMS Invincible in December 2000. He is entitled to wear the Navy Distinguished Service, Defense Superior Service, Legion of Merit (three awards), Distinguished Flying Cross (combat V), Defense Meritorious Service and Meritorious Service Medals, multiple Air Medals (combat V) and various other personal, unit and service awards.
Today, Wettlaufer serves as an advisor to Quadrant Nuclear Industries, a board director for U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps and Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority, an angel investor, and advisor to several commercial startup enterprises as Principal at MW Insights, LLC.
Commissioned in the U.S. Navy in 1986, he earned wings of gold in 1988, is a Navy Test Pilot School graduate (Class 104) and completed Navy Nuclear Power Training in 2008.
Prior to retiring after nearly 38 years in the Navy, Mike served as the 28th Commander, Military Sealift Command from June 2019 to September 2023, operating the nation’s largest fleet: 150+ government and commercially owned and operated vessels providing global logistics and special mission support to the Navy and Joint Force. His prior flag officer assignments included Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3 from August 2017 to June 2019 including an around-the-world deployment in 2018-2019, and he served as US European Command Deputy for Policy, Plans, Strategy, Capabilities and Resources (J5/8) from 2016-2017.
Prior to flag officer selection, Wettlaufer commanded USS John C Stennis (CVN 74), USS Denver (LPD 9) and the Dambusters of Strike Fighter Squadron ONE NINE FIVE (VFA-195). He deployed numerous times to the Atlantic and Pacific, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Gulf flying the A-6E Intruder from the deck of the USS America (CV 66), the FA-18C Hornet from USS Independence (CV 62) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), and enjoyed multiple deployments in the Western Pacific aboard Denver.
In addition to flight training, his shore assignments included Commander 2nd Fleet as an aircraft carrier scheduler, test pilot and landing signals officer with Strike Aircraft Test Directorate at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. Later, he was assigned to the Empire Test Pilots’ School as a fixed wing tutor and experimental test pilot on exchange with the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. He was a Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group associate fellow (SSG XXI) and served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as an analyst for the deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO Policy.
Wettlaufer has 3,800 hours flying 50 different aircraft types and over 900 arrested landings on 14 carriers. In addition to ship suitability flight test, he is experienced in cockpit design, human-machine interface, simulation, advanced flight control and variable stability flight-control systems. He was privileged to conduct developmental Joint Strike Fighter (F-35B) flight control trials as part of an international team while underway aboard HMS Invincible in December 2000. He is entitled to wear the Navy Distinguished Service, Defense Superior Service, Legion of Merit (three awards), Distinguished Flying Cross (combat V), Defense Meritorious Service and Meritorious Service Medals, multiple Air Medals (combat V) and various other personal, unit and service awards.
Today, Wettlaufer serves as an advisor to Quadrant Nuclear Industries, a board director for U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps and Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority, an angel investor, and advisor to several commercial startup enterprises as Principal at MW Insights, LLC.
Daniel P. Fata
Advisor
Daniel P. Fata is an Advisor for Quadrant Nuclear Industries as well as the President of Fata Advisory, LLC, a strategic consulting firm based in Virginia. He is both a board director and an advisory board member with numerous dual-use technology start up efforts. He has nearly three decades of experience working at the highest levels in Washington, D.C. as a Congressional leadership staffer in both the House and the Senate, a senior Pentagon official responsible for Europe/Russia/NATO, as an executive at a global strategic consulting firm, and as a Vice President with Lockheed Martin. His expertise focuses on aerospace and defense, transatlantic security, emerging technologies, supply chain, and renewable energy. He is also a Senior Advisor (Non-Resident) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and a Commissioner on the congressionally-mandated Afghanistan War Commission. He received his B.A. with Honors in Political Science from UCONN in 1994 and a M.A. in International Relations from Boston University. In 2024, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from UCONN.
Anthony Huston
Managing Partner
Anthony "Tony" Huston is a global financial markets and technology innovation leader with a long, successful track across nuclear energy, maritime technology, fin-tech and investments. Currently a Managing Partner and Executive Committee member at Quadrant Nuclear Industries (QNI), Tony steers commercial strategies and fosters industrial partnerships to position QNI at the forefront of nuclear supply chain innovation.
Directly before joining QNI in 2025, Tony was U.S. Country Head for CORE POWER, a U.K.-based maritime innovation group focused on applying advanced atomic applications into the maritime industry. He transitioned from early-stage investor and advisor in Singapore, to U.S. Country Head in January 2022, establishing CORE POWER's Washington D.C. office and played a pivotal role in growing the firm’s industry, government and capital market engagements.
Tony graduated from the University of Michigan, majoring in Asian Studies and Chinese Language (Honors College). Upon graduation, he moved to Taiwan to pursue fluency in Mandarin Chinese and to ultimately participate in what he believed would be a great economic opening for mainland China. Life interrupted, his brief time in Taipei was followed by post-graduate studies in mathematics, computer science, and statistics at New York University, while working at the Depository Trust Company (DTC), the world’s largest clearing corporation, during the early years of U.S. market computerization.
Within two years Tony returned to the Asian market, launching an overnight FX derivatives trading operation into major APAC money centers. His success led to a recruitment by Tokyo Forex, a subsidiary of Tokyo Tanshi, the Bank of Japan’s primary clearing broker. As the first foreigner at Tokyo Forex to hold a titled position, Tony served as Co-Head of APAC and became a trusted global problem solver across multiple financial centers. He concluded his FX derivatives trading career in London, servicing institutional counterparties across Northern Europe and beyond.
The rise of internet opportunities and a desire to return to New York led Tony to co-found Internet Financial Services, Inc. (IFSI), a pioneering online trading company in 1995. As President, Tony guided IFSI through five consecutive years of ~100% growth, culminating in an IPO in 1999. He led the firm’s evolution from a web-based trading platform to a software company, achieving a peak public market cap of over $300 million. Tony also managed a team of 160+ in brokerage and software development, overseeing strategy, technology migration, and a highly productive software licensing deal with E*Trade. His work in the field led to his first published paper, "Electronic Trading and the Hedge Fund Manager," which explored emerging trends in day trading and electronic program trading.
After a partial sale of the company and a brief hiatus following the 9/11 attacks, Tony entered the hedge fund and private equity world with Paloma Partners in Greenwich CT, a $3B+ multi-asset hedge fund and private equity firm. As Managing Director, he expanded markets and grew the firm’s multi-strategy and affiliate Chinese private equity fund (Cathay Capital), primarily through relationships with Japanese institutions. He also served as the lead on institutional pension fund consultants due diligence efforts.
Tony joined PMA in 2007. Hong Kong-based PMA was among the largest single seeded hedge funds in APAC history at 650M$, and part of Japan’s SPARX Group, at the time the largest alternative asset manager in APAC with over +20B$ in AUM . In his dual role as Chair of Asset Allocation and U.S. Country Head, he guided the firm and its $300M+ flagship EM multi-strategy hedge fund through the Global Financial Crisis, delivering strong performance with a modest -9.4% drop in 2008 and a swift recovery in 2009. Tony’s remit included seeding new funds and managing U.S. regulatory and institutional pension fund relationships.
In 2011, Tony moved to Singapore with The Rohatyn Group (TRG) as Managing Director, focusing on credit opportunities and to engage with firm’s marquee investors: Temasek, GIC, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Tony ultimately shifted to pursuing personal investment opportunities in Singapore and greater APAC. He co-founded an MAS-regulated asset management firm backed by a European family office, serving as CEO and Co-CIO. At the firm, he launched a multi-strategy hedge fund, helped build a top-decile commodity trade finance fund (of which he remains an advisor), and advised CORE POWER, a maritime innovation group focusing on nuclear applications.
Personal Note
Tony grew up sailing on Western Long Island Sound, a region renowned for competitive sailboat racing. He became a World Champion in the International One Design Class as an owner-driver. While in Singapore, Tony continued studying Asian languages and gave back to the sport that shaped his life by mentoring at-risk youth through Big Brother Big Sister, teaching sailing and life skills.
Directly before joining QNI in 2025, Tony was U.S. Country Head for CORE POWER, a U.K.-based maritime innovation group focused on applying advanced atomic applications into the maritime industry. He transitioned from early-stage investor and advisor in Singapore, to U.S. Country Head in January 2022, establishing CORE POWER's Washington D.C. office and played a pivotal role in growing the firm’s industry, government and capital market engagements.
Tony graduated from the University of Michigan, majoring in Asian Studies and Chinese Language (Honors College). Upon graduation, he moved to Taiwan to pursue fluency in Mandarin Chinese and to ultimately participate in what he believed would be a great economic opening for mainland China. Life interrupted, his brief time in Taipei was followed by post-graduate studies in mathematics, computer science, and statistics at New York University, while working at the Depository Trust Company (DTC), the world’s largest clearing corporation, during the early years of U.S. market computerization.
Within two years Tony returned to the Asian market, launching an overnight FX derivatives trading operation into major APAC money centers. His success led to a recruitment by Tokyo Forex, a subsidiary of Tokyo Tanshi, the Bank of Japan’s primary clearing broker. As the first foreigner at Tokyo Forex to hold a titled position, Tony served as Co-Head of APAC and became a trusted global problem solver across multiple financial centers. He concluded his FX derivatives trading career in London, servicing institutional counterparties across Northern Europe and beyond.
The rise of internet opportunities and a desire to return to New York led Tony to co-found Internet Financial Services, Inc. (IFSI), a pioneering online trading company in 1995. As President, Tony guided IFSI through five consecutive years of ~100% growth, culminating in an IPO in 1999. He led the firm’s evolution from a web-based trading platform to a software company, achieving a peak public market cap of over $300 million. Tony also managed a team of 160+ in brokerage and software development, overseeing strategy, technology migration, and a highly productive software licensing deal with E*Trade. His work in the field led to his first published paper, "Electronic Trading and the Hedge Fund Manager," which explored emerging trends in day trading and electronic program trading.
After a partial sale of the company and a brief hiatus following the 9/11 attacks, Tony entered the hedge fund and private equity world with Paloma Partners in Greenwich CT, a $3B+ multi-asset hedge fund and private equity firm. As Managing Director, he expanded markets and grew the firm’s multi-strategy and affiliate Chinese private equity fund (Cathay Capital), primarily through relationships with Japanese institutions. He also served as the lead on institutional pension fund consultants due diligence efforts.
Tony joined PMA in 2007. Hong Kong-based PMA was among the largest single seeded hedge funds in APAC history at 650M$, and part of Japan’s SPARX Group, at the time the largest alternative asset manager in APAC with over +20B$ in AUM . In his dual role as Chair of Asset Allocation and U.S. Country Head, he guided the firm and its $300M+ flagship EM multi-strategy hedge fund through the Global Financial Crisis, delivering strong performance with a modest -9.4% drop in 2008 and a swift recovery in 2009. Tony’s remit included seeding new funds and managing U.S. regulatory and institutional pension fund relationships.
In 2011, Tony moved to Singapore with The Rohatyn Group (TRG) as Managing Director, focusing on credit opportunities and to engage with firm’s marquee investors: Temasek, GIC, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Tony ultimately shifted to pursuing personal investment opportunities in Singapore and greater APAC. He co-founded an MAS-regulated asset management firm backed by a European family office, serving as CEO and Co-CIO. At the firm, he launched a multi-strategy hedge fund, helped build a top-decile commodity trade finance fund (of which he remains an advisor), and advised CORE POWER, a maritime innovation group focusing on nuclear applications.
Personal Note
Tony grew up sailing on Western Long Island Sound, a region renowned for competitive sailboat racing. He became a World Champion in the International One Design Class as an owner-driver. While in Singapore, Tony continued studying Asian languages and gave back to the sport that shaped his life by mentoring at-risk youth through Big Brother Big Sister, teaching sailing and life skills.
Dr. Sean McDeavitt
Director, Quadrant Nuclear Fuels
Dr. Sean M. McDeavitt was the Associate Vice Chancellor for the Texas A&M University System’s National Laboratory office. His multidisciplinary experience in nuclear, materials, and chemical engineering has equipped him with the flexibility to make leadership and research contributions in a diverse range of subjects.
He earned his Ph.D. from the Purdue University School of Nuclear Engineering where his research focused on uranium-10 wt % zirconium (U-10Zr) alloy nuclear fuel for the Integral Fast Reactor; this involved handling pyrophoric metal and hydride powders, processing samples at high-temperatures, and characterizing the behavior of U-10Zr. His professional career began at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), where he worked from 1991 to the Fall of 2003. While at ANL, he earned an international reputation as a leader in nuclear materials research and development, especially in the areas of applied research for advanced nuclear fuel cycles, waste immobilization, and materials development for challenging environments.
Between 1999 and 2003, he was the Section Manager for the Materials Development and Pyroprocess Development Sections. In the Fall of 2002, he served as a Visiting Professor at Purdue University; this marked the beginning of his transition to academia. From August 2003 to August 2006, he worked at Purdue University as an untenured Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering. He joined the faculty of Texas A&M University in the Fall of 2006 and has been a full professor of Nuclear Engineering since 2018.
In 2014, he became the Director of the Texas A&M Nuclear Science Center (NSC), which operates a 1 MW TRIGA reactor and a 5 W AGN-201M reactor. In 2019, the NSC was renamed to the Nuclear Engineering & Science Center (NESC) and Dr. McDeavitt became the director of the NESC reactors and nuclear science research laboratories as well as the Nuclear Power Institute (NPI), which is a center focused on STEM education and workforce development.
In September 2022, He became the Executive Director of NESC as he continued to position the reactor infrastructure and workforce development activities for further success. In May 2023, Dr. McDeavitt assumed the role of Associate Vice Chancellor for National Laboratories.
He earned his Ph.D. from the Purdue University School of Nuclear Engineering where his research focused on uranium-10 wt % zirconium (U-10Zr) alloy nuclear fuel for the Integral Fast Reactor; this involved handling pyrophoric metal and hydride powders, processing samples at high-temperatures, and characterizing the behavior of U-10Zr. His professional career began at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), where he worked from 1991 to the Fall of 2003. While at ANL, he earned an international reputation as a leader in nuclear materials research and development, especially in the areas of applied research for advanced nuclear fuel cycles, waste immobilization, and materials development for challenging environments.
Between 1999 and 2003, he was the Section Manager for the Materials Development and Pyroprocess Development Sections. In the Fall of 2002, he served as a Visiting Professor at Purdue University; this marked the beginning of his transition to academia. From August 2003 to August 2006, he worked at Purdue University as an untenured Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering. He joined the faculty of Texas A&M University in the Fall of 2006 and has been a full professor of Nuclear Engineering since 2018.
In 2014, he became the Director of the Texas A&M Nuclear Science Center (NSC), which operates a 1 MW TRIGA reactor and a 5 W AGN-201M reactor. In 2019, the NSC was renamed to the Nuclear Engineering & Science Center (NESC) and Dr. McDeavitt became the director of the NESC reactors and nuclear science research laboratories as well as the Nuclear Power Institute (NPI), which is a center focused on STEM education and workforce development.
In September 2022, He became the Executive Director of NESC as he continued to position the reactor infrastructure and workforce development activities for further success. In May 2023, Dr. McDeavitt assumed the role of Associate Vice Chancellor for National Laboratories.
David Grissino
Director, Design and Construction
David is a seasoned leader with experience in architecture, urban design, planning, construction, regulatory review
and approvals, and a variety of civic positions with a successful history of collaborating with large,
diverse groups of people to find common ground, creative solutions, and consensus on complex planning
and design issues. He is passionate about, and motivated by, leveraging diverse experiences and interpersonal
and political strengths to help organizations thrive and grow.
At QNI, David serves as the Director of Design and Construction, where he oversees all aspects of project execution, including management of budget, schedule, general contractors, architects, engineers, and other consultants involved in the project. He also ensures all work aligns with project goals, timelines, and regulatory requirements.
Before joining QNI, David practiced as an architect and urban designer for large scale, multi-building institutional projects, provided regulatory review and development oversight for the Boston Redevelopment Authority, acted as Director of Capital Projects and Planning for Babson College, and served as the Senior Director for Design and Construction for the Milken Center in Washington D.C. He has been nationally and locally recognized for his work in design and planning, as well as his 20 years of community service on boards and committees in the communities where he lives and works.
David holds a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts.
Outside of work, David is an avid runner and has completed the Boston Marathon six times as part of a charity team for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He loves spending time in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with his wife and three daughters.
At QNI, David serves as the Director of Design and Construction, where he oversees all aspects of project execution, including management of budget, schedule, general contractors, architects, engineers, and other consultants involved in the project. He also ensures all work aligns with project goals, timelines, and regulatory requirements.
Before joining QNI, David practiced as an architect and urban designer for large scale, multi-building institutional projects, provided regulatory review and development oversight for the Boston Redevelopment Authority, acted as Director of Capital Projects and Planning for Babson College, and served as the Senior Director for Design and Construction for the Milken Center in Washington D.C. He has been nationally and locally recognized for his work in design and planning, as well as his 20 years of community service on boards and committees in the communities where he lives and works.
David holds a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts.
Outside of work, David is an avid runner and has completed the Boston Marathon six times as part of a charity team for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He loves spending time in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with his wife and three daughters.
Nicholas Walton
Director, Operations and Finance
Nick is an entrepreneurial global operations leader with 20 years of experience of driving operational strategy, scaling products, fostering sustainable growth, and leading successful fundraising efforts in high-growth, innovation-driven environment.
At QNI, Nick serves as the Director of Operations and Finance, where he oversees daily operations, product development, long-term strategic planning, and cross-functional execution. His leadership is aimed to build operational resilience and aligning growth initiatives with QNI’s financial objectives.
Before joining QNI, Nick built a strong foundation in institutional investment management and private equity, earning a unique investor's perspective on business growth, capital efficiency, and long-term value creation. He held roles at firms including The Boston Company Asset Management (BNY Mellon), Standish Mellon Asset Management (BNY Mellon), and Wellington Management Company.
Nick also held key chief operational and leadership roles across multiple startups and growth-stage ventures. In these positions, he scaled teams and cultures, built foundational systems, defined collaborative strategy initiatives, and played a central role in securing funding. His consistent ability to connect financial strategy with operational execution continues to be a cornerstone of his career. Known for a leadership style grounded on integrity, transparency, and principled leadership, Nick has built a reputation as a trusted partner to executive teams, boards, and investor networks.
Nick holds a B.A., magna cum laude, from Wheaton College (MA), an M.B.A. from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College, and an A.L.M degree in Management and Operations from the Harvard Extension School.
Outside of work, Nick enjoys sailing, spending quality time with his two cherished children, and continually finding new ways to learn and give back.
At QNI, Nick serves as the Director of Operations and Finance, where he oversees daily operations, product development, long-term strategic planning, and cross-functional execution. His leadership is aimed to build operational resilience and aligning growth initiatives with QNI’s financial objectives.
Before joining QNI, Nick built a strong foundation in institutional investment management and private equity, earning a unique investor's perspective on business growth, capital efficiency, and long-term value creation. He held roles at firms including The Boston Company Asset Management (BNY Mellon), Standish Mellon Asset Management (BNY Mellon), and Wellington Management Company.
Nick also held key chief operational and leadership roles across multiple startups and growth-stage ventures. In these positions, he scaled teams and cultures, built foundational systems, defined collaborative strategy initiatives, and played a central role in securing funding. His consistent ability to connect financial strategy with operational execution continues to be a cornerstone of his career. Known for a leadership style grounded on integrity, transparency, and principled leadership, Nick has built a reputation as a trusted partner to executive teams, boards, and investor networks.
Nick holds a B.A., magna cum laude, from Wheaton College (MA), an M.B.A. from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College, and an A.L.M degree in Management and Operations from the Harvard Extension School.
Outside of work, Nick enjoys sailing, spending quality time with his two cherished children, and continually finding new ways to learn and give back.
Kortnee Johnson
Operations Manager
Kortnee Johnson is the Operations Manager at Quadrant Nuclear Industries, bringing nearly two decades of experience in administrative leadership, event coordination, and business operations. Before joining Quadrant, Kortnee spent over a decade managing office environments where she developed a strong foundation in organizational efficiency, executive support, and record management.
She later launched and successfully ran her own business, where she expanded her expertise in digital design, operations, and high-impact event planning. Throughout her career, Kortnee has planned and executed a wide range of successful fundraisers, corporate meetings, and large-scale events—demonstrating her ability to manage logistics, budgets, and communications with precision and creativity.
Kortnee combines her entrepreneurial mindset with a deep commitment to operational excellence. She assists in implementing efficient systems and fosters a well-organized, professional environment that supports both day-to-day functions and long-term company goals.