Donald R. Hoffman established EXCEL in 1985 to provide specialized professional services to nuclear utilities and regulatory authorities. Over four decades, Mr. Hoffman has built EXCEL into a globally recognized leader in nuclear licensing, regulatory support, engineering, technical services, operations, and critical infrastructure protection — serving clients across the United States and internationally. Prior to founding EXCEL, Mr. Hoffman served in the U.S. Nuclear Submarine Navy from 1970–1979 as a Senior Reactor Operator and Engineering Officer. From 1980–1985, he served as Manager in the NRC’s Licensing and Technical Specifications Department, where he was responsible for reviewing license applications and technical specifications for U.S. plants in the post-TMI licensing era. At EXCEL, he has provided executive oversight of 75+ ITS Conversions, 17 License Renewals, 14 Combined License Applications (COLAs), 14 Power Uprates, 30+ Fuel Cycle Extensions, and 3 Early Site Permits and more. Ask Donald about: international regulatory development, domestic licensing pathways, feasibility studies, technology selection, reactor operations, NRC reactor oversight and inspections, rulemaking & policy development, strategic planning & business development, senior executive leadership

Jim Andersen brings 34 years of progressive nuclear safety and security regulatory experience spanning cyber security, physical security, licensing, inspection, and rulemaking. At EXCEL, Mr. Andersen leads client engagements focused on the design, implementation, and evaluation of physical and cyber security protection systems — including independent self-assessments, NRC inspection preparation, corrective action review, and long-term business strategy development. Prior to joining EXCEL, Mr. Andersen held a distinguished career at the U.S. NRC, rising to the Senior Executive Service level and serving in a series of high-impact leadership roles including Division Director of Physical and Cyber Security Policy, Director of the Cyber Security Directorate, and Deputy Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response. He also served as a U.S. Navy officer on active duty and in the Naval Reserve, including as a Sonar and Electrical Officer aboard USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720) and as a Naval Analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency. Ask Jim about: cyber security policy & oversight, physical security programs, nuclear licensing & regulatory affairs, Reactor Oversight Process (ROP), emergency preparedness & response, fuel cycle safety & safeguards, NRC inspection & compliance, rulemaking & policy development, strategic planning & business development, senior executive leadership

Dan Ludwig is a nuclear engineer with 17 years of commercial nuclear experience spanning reactor operations, design engineering, new nuclear feasibility studies, and new reactor project development. At EXCEL, Mr. Ludwig leads the company’s new nuclear consulting services supporting nuclear power deployment and operations worldwide, with a focus on new and advanced nuclear technologies, site selection, Owner’s Engineer services, and regulatory agency support. Mr. Ludwig’s career reflects a rare combination of hands-on nuclear engineering expertise and strategic business development acumen. He has developed fleet-wide innovation initiatives at major U.S. utilities; led pre-feasibility studies for new nuclear plants, supported operating plants in engineering and project roles, and developed deep expertise in advanced nuclear technologies — including Small Modular Reactors and non-light-water reactor designs; and has a proven track record developing nuclear market strategies, government funding proposals, and customer engagement programs for domestic and international clients. He is currently leading regulatory initiatives for reactor developers, siting strategies for reactor developers, regulatory roadmaps, and Ask Dan about: international business development, nuclear project management, regulatory strategy and roadmaps, Owner’s Engineer services, SMR & advanced reactor assessment, site selection & pre-feasibility studies, stakeholder & NGO engagement, DOE funding & grant management, regulator support

Brian Meadors brings a rare and powerful combination of nuclear engineering credentials, legal expertise, and hands-on regulatory experience to the role of General Counsel. A licensed Professional Engineer (nuclear), active attorney, and former U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer, Mr. Meadors has spent his career at the intersection of nuclear law, licensing strategy, and regulatory advocacy — working on some of the most consequential nuclear licensing actions in the modern era, including the Vogtle Units 3 & 4 AP1000 new builds and NuScale’s first-of-a-kind SMR Combined Operating License Application. At EXCEL, Mr. Meadors serves as General Counsel, licensing strategist, state government advocate, and business developer. He leads EXCEL’s efforts to advance pro-nuclear legislation at the state level, serves as liaison to Bluewave AI in applying artificial intelligence to nuclear licensing and siting, and provides licensing strategy for non-light-water and Generation IV reactor projects. His career spans senior roles at Southern Nuclear Operating Company, General Electric, and NuScale Power — as well as a decade of civil litigation practice that included a successful U.S. Supreme Court certiorari petition.  Ask Brian about: nuclear regulatory licensing, legal & regulatory strategy, state-level nuclear feasibility studies NRC advocacy & representation, Gen IV & SMR licensing, high-impact technical issue resolution, Nuclear Employee Concerns (Ombudsman), data privacy & GDPR compliance, legislative & government affairs, contract & commercial law, licensing engineer training & development

Erica Combs brings 20 years of military, government, and commercial nuclear experience across reactor operations, inspection, design engineering, licensing, regulatory affairs, and new reactor development. At EXCEL, Ms. Combs leads advanced and new reactor initiatives, including feasibility studies and reactor technology selection for multiple international projects, with a focus on licensing strategy, regulatory framework development, and Emergency Planning Zone analysis. Ask Janna about: international regulatory development, IAEA milestones, NRC licensing pathways, feasibility studies, technology selection, reactor operations, operating reactor oversight and inspections, cybersecurity