Vice President / President-Elect

Michaele C. Brady Raap

I have been involved in American Nuclear Society activities for over 25 years and have had the privilege to serve in a number of roles, including ANS treasurer; two terms on the Board of Directors; chair of the Professional Divisions Committee; chair of both the Nuclear Criticality Safety Division and the Reactor Physics Division; vice chair of the National Program Committee; and member of the Publications Steering Committee, several Standards working groups, and the Finance Committee. I would appreciate the opportunity to work as your vice president/president-elect to increase the visibility of the Society and enhance the benefit of membership to you.

My varied experience in ANS, and specifically serving as an executive officer for the past two years, has given me an in-depth understanding of the challenges our Society faces. Together, the Society leadership has found opportunities for ANS to establish and document policies and processes to make the Society operate more effectively and efficiently. I have personally had the opportunity to sift through the details of our finances and operating structure, and to discuss concerns of this type with the other executive officers, the Board of Directors, and the executive director. As your vice president/president-elect, I would focus on maintaining our forward progress with three fundamental goals in mind:

• Maintain the diversity of our technical membership, seeking added value of membership for all.
• Seek to expand the global impact of ANS by promoting international cooperation to address public outreach and promote technical resources to policymakers.
• Promote the modernization of the information technology (IT) infrastructure at ANS to increase the visibility of the Society, enhance the benefit of membership, and facilitate the implementation of our strategic plan.

One of the fundamental strengths of ANS is the diversity of our membership. ANS was founded soon after President Eisenhower presented his dramatic 1953 "Atoms for Peace" speech to the United Nations, proposing international knowledge-sharing for the development of civilian nuclear science and technology (NS&T). As early as 1966, ANS technical sessions at meetings addressed a diversity of applications, including materials, isotopes and radiation, math and physics calculations and experiments, shielding, aerospace, education, power reactors, reactor physics, operations and safety, and instrumentation. Almost immediately, the societal impact of NS&T increased, and the need to improve communication and provide reliable information to the general public was recognized. ANS responded to this need and began to provide reliable NS&T information for public outreach and education. In the last decade, ANS has also taken steps to increase its visibility and outreach to policymakers as a resource for timely and factual NS&T information.

Today's communications technologies, concern over the lack of carbon legislation, and an increasingly global economy have made the tenets of Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace" message an imperative. The global expansion of nuclear technology, concerns over a permanent solution for nuclear waste, and the Fukushima accident have demonstrated that nuclear safety and security are international issues. My own professional experience has included participation in a number of international technical activities. Through these activities I have cultivated a strong respect for the value of international cooperation to address broad challenges. I truly believe that there are opportunities for ANS to improve its global impact by expanding international cooperation to address outreach to the public and policymakers.

ANS has an important role in the development of human capital: NS&T professionals, the general public, and policymakers. The value proposition that ANS brings to each of these constituent groups is evident. Providing a forum for technical exchange and professional development and serving as a steward of the pipeline for young nuclear professionals enhances the sustainability and promise of the continued peaceful use of NS&T. An accurately informed public is able to practice good citizenship and to actively participate in developing public policy. Timely access to reliable technical resources and information enables policymakers to ask questions and make deliberative choices about NS&T.

This is a time of opportunity for ANS. Under the leadership of Immediate Past President Eric Loewen, a very involved Board of Directors, and the Planning Committee, the ANS strategic plan was approved in August 2012. The newly founded Center for Nuclear Science and Technology Information is the Society's flagship for two mission components—engaging the public and engaging policymakers—and is the focus of President Mike Corradini's term in office. Vice President/President-Elect Don Hoffman is leading the broader implementation of the strategic plan, specifically for the mission components of professional development and sharing information and advancements in technology. The strategic plan identifies a number of operational imperatives related to improving ANS's organizational structure, processes, and policies to provide for the efficient operation and financial sustainability of the Society. I believe the key to effectively addressing these operational issues is the modernization of the IT infrastructure at ANS. The efficient use of IT will enhance our mission-related outcomes and boost our organizational performance. Strategic development of an integrated IT plan is essential to the future growth, image enhancement, and reputation of ANS.

I am energized and optimistic about the direction ANS is currently headed. The strength of leadership and commitment to developing and implementing the strategic plan is impressive and is focused on transforming ANS by updating our image, enhancing organizational visibility and impact, and providing substantial and measureable benefits to our membership. It is an honor to be nominated to serve as vice president/president-elect of the American Nuclear Society, and I sincerely appreciate consideration for your vote.