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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
January 2026
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December 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
November 2025
Latest News
AI at work: Southern Nuclear’s adoption of Copilot agents drives fleet forward
Southern Nuclear is leading the charge in artificial intelligence integration, with employee-developed applications driving efficiencies in maintenance, operations, safety, and performance.
The tools span all roles within the company, with thousands of documented uses throughout the fleet, including improved maintenance efficiency, risk awareness in maintenance activities, and better-informed decision-making. The data-intensive process of preparing for and executing maintenance operations is streamlined by leveraging AI to put the right information at the fingertips for maintenance leaders, planners, schedulers, engineers, and technicians.
2025 ANS Winter Conference & Expo
Brandon M. Williams is the Under Secretary for Nuclear Security at the Department of Energy and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration. A former U.S. Congressman, Navy veteran, and entrepreneur, Mr. Williams joins NNSA with a distinguished career in national security, technology, and economic development.
In 1989, Williams witnessed the Tiananmen Square student protests firsthand, which inspired his lifetime commitment to service. Fifteen months later, he joined the U.S. Navy and served for six years as a nuclear submarine officer.
Williams is a graduate of Pepperdine University and the Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and completed training at the prestigious Naval Nuclear Power School. During his military service, Williams completed six strategic deterrent patrols in the Pacific aboard the USS Georgia (SSBN 729), where he served as Electrical Officer and Strategic Missile Officer. He qualified on two separate naval reactor designs (S5W and S8G) and was responsible for the safety, security, and operational readiness of 24 Trident I C4 missiles, nuclear weapons security, radiological controls, and command codes.
Following his naval service, Williams earned an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he double majored in Operations & Information Management and Finance. His career in both the military and private sector has taken him across the country, ultimately settling in Central New York in 2010. He and his wife, Stephanie McRee—daughter of Col. Marshall McRee, a decorated Vietnam War veteran (having earned three Bronze Stars with Valor)—established an agribusiness in the Finger Lakes region, contributing to local economic development and tourism. There, he was elected to represent the people of Central New York in the U.S. House of Representatives and chaired the Energy Subcommittee for the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
Williams is also an innovator in industrial technology and cybersecurity. As the founder of a software company, he has led efforts to modernize large-scale manufacturing operations, enhance critical infrastructure security, and advance efficiency through cutting-edge solutions.
Last modified October 14, 2025, 8:56am EDT
