In this episode of the Nuclear Leader Podcast, host Bill Nowicki introduces Michael Rennhack, a radiation technician with years of experience. Michael shares his journey from growing up in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to entering the nuclear industry through family influence and a fateful job application. He discusses his extensive career, working at various nuclear facilities and DOE sites, and highlights his contributions to decommissioning projects and radiation protection. Moreover, Michael discusses his role in founding NukeWorker.com, a vital resource for nuclear professionals. This episode offers insights into the nuclear industry's operations, challenges, and the importance of community and knowledge sharing.

00:00 Introduction to the Nuclear Leader Podcast

00:35 Meet Mike Rennhack: A Veteran Radiation Technician

01:16 Mike's Early Life and Entry into the Nuclear Industry

03:01 First Steps in the Nuclear Industry

05:43 Decommissioning and Radiation Engineering

06:24 Working with Jim Berger and Decommissioning Protocols

12:38 Adventures in Nuclear Facilities and Particle Accelerators

23:22 Settling Down and Family Life

25:32 Returning to Michigan and Career at DC Cook

27:41 Applying for Jobs: A Shotgun Approach

28:15 Emergency Preparedness at DC Cook

29:53 Transition to Procedure Writing

30:27 The Birth of NukeWorker.com

30:47 Early Days of Computing and Online Communities

35:30 Managing Online Communities

41:33 NukeWorker.com: A Resource for Nuclear Workers

53:07 Reflections and Future Plans

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https://www.nukeworker.com

In this special episode, Lori Brady, Senior Director of Human Resources and Workforce Development at the Nuclear Energy Institute, discusses critical strategies for promoting nuclear energy growth and workforce sustainability. Joined by her assistant, Anthony Brown, Lori highlights the importance of modernizing the industry, creating sustainable workforce ecosystems, and addressing challenges like high attrition rates and training new generations. Discover how innovative approaches, flexible workforce strategies, and a passion for nuclear energy are driving the industry's future. Tune in to learn about the exciting developments and ongoing efforts in shaping a thriving nuclear energy sector.

00:00 Introduction to a Special Episode

00:28 Understanding the Nuclear Energy Institute

01:22 Lori Brady's Insights on Nuclear Energy

03:09 Workforce Development in Nuclear Energy

04:35 Building Sustainable Workforce Ecosystems

06:03 Challenges and Successes in Workforce Development

09:58 Creative Approaches to Training and Education

16:33 The Importance of Passion in the Nuclear Industry

26:26 Strategic Workforce Planning for the Future

32:33 Engaging the Next Generation

41:27 Introduction to Electronic Procedures

42:03 Rethinking Job Qualifications

43:53 Career Path Challenges

45:22 Listening to Workforce Needs

46:32 Modernizing Work Environments

50:17 Addressing Workforce Turnover

57:23 The Future of Nuclear Workforce

01:15:43 Concluding Thoughts and Contact Information

NEI

nei.org

 nuclearworks.org,

Phone 202-739-8000 asked to be forwarded to Anthony Brown/Lori Brady

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In this episode, young supervisor Ryan Smothers from Palisades shares his insights on restarting a nuclear plant and building a cohesive, skilled team. Ryan discusses his approach to hiring, focusing on bringing in highly qualified candidates, even if they are overqualified, and ensuring team cohesion by involving current employees in the hiring process. He emphasizes the importance of transparency about the challenges of the nuclear industry and fostering a team culture where employees feel ownership of their workspaces. Ryan also highlights the rewarding nature of developing people, rather than just solving technical problems, and his vision for creating a good workplace culture at Palisades. This episode is rich with valuable lessons for new leaders, particularly in technical fields.

00:00 Restarting a Nuclear Plant: The Challenge

00:19 Meet Ryan Smothers: Young and Wise

00:36 Building a Strong Team: Strategies and Insights

03:20 Overcoming Industry Challenges

06:25 Empowering Employees: Ownership and Responsibility

08:49 The Importance of Team Cohesion

12:34 Ryan's Journey: From IT to Nuclear

16:51 Future Vision for Palisades

17:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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