In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Brian Groft, a senior leader at Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA), to discuss the A&AS mission and its significance in supporting the Department of Defense. Groft shares insights on the role of A&AS contractors, the importance of DTRA in nuclear operations, and the differences between various types of contracting. They also discuss the future of DTRA, the costs associated with government versus contractor roles, and the need for improved collaboration between contractors and government agencies.

Brian Groft possesses 16 years of experience leading teams of scientists and engineers providing technical advisory services to government customers responsible for challenging homeland security and national defense missions. He serves as the Strategic Growth Manager for SPA which includes providing executive leadership in the defense and homeland security industry with emphasis in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive defense (CBRNE), Counter WMD, System Engineering, and R&D fields.

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In this conversation, Brent Sadler discusses the critical importance of maritime issues in relation to national security and economic stability. He emphasizes the need for a dedicated maritime advisor to the president and highlights the current gaps in leadership within the Navy's shipbuilding sector. The conversation underscores the necessity of interagency coordination to ensure timely delivery of warships and the overall revival of American maritime strength.

Brent Sadler joined Heritage Foundation after a 26-year Navy career with numerous operational tours on nuclear powered submarines, personal staffs of senior Defense Department leaders, and as a military diplomat in Asia. As a Senior Research Fellow, Brent’s focus is on maritime security and the technologies shaping our future maritime forces, especially the Navy.

Brent is a 1994 graduate with honors of the United States Naval Academy with a degree in Systems Engineering (robotics) and a minor in Japanese. As a 2004 Olmsted Scholar in Tokyo, Japan, he studied at Keio University, Jochi University and the United Nations University. He has a master of arts from Jochi University and master of science from National War College, where he graduated with distinction in 2011 and received several writing and research awards.

In 2011, he established the Navy Asia Pacific Advisory Group (NAPAG), providing regionally informed advice directly to Chief of Naval Operations’ (CNO). He again served on the CNO’s personal staff in 2015-2016, playing a key role in developing the Defense Department’s Third Offset.

At Pacific Command from 2012-2015, he held numerous key positions. As lead for Maritime Strategy and Policy, he incorporated all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) into the first regional maritime domain awareness forum and was instrumental in the eventual passage of the $500 million-dollar Maritime Security Initiative. As Special Advisor on Japan, and a Council of Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow in Tokyo, he played a key role in revising the U.S. and Japan Defense Guidelines. As Deputy Director Strategic Synchronization Group, he oversaw a think-tank like body of over 30 advisors and analysts. Brent led the Commander’s Rebalance Task Force coordinating execution of the President’s Defense Strategic Guidance—Rebalance to the Asia-Pacific resulting in over $12 billion USD of additional monies budgeted in fiscal years 2013 through 2015 during a time of fiscal austerity.

Following his final tour on CNO’s staff, Brent returned to Asia as Senior Defense Official, Defense and Naval Attaché in Malaysia. During his tenure he played a key role in coordinating responses to the USS McCain collision in August 2017, opened several politically sensitive ports and airfields to U.S. forces, oversaw unprecedented expansion of U.S. military relations, and steadied relations during the historic May 2018 national elections ushering in an opposition party for the first time since independence.

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Adam interviews Dr. Kyle Balzer and Bob Peters on their recent article in Breaking Defense. They discuss the future of the Sentinel ICBM program, particularly the potential for mobile basing options. They explore the cost implications, strategic effectiveness, and the need for political engagement to advocate for a more robust nuclear deterrent. The conversation emphasizes the importance of adapting to a changing threat environment, particularly with the rise of peer competitors like China, and the necessity of public discourse on nuclear strategy.

Kyle Balzer is a Jeane Kirkpatrick Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he specializes in US nuclear strategy and policy. He is currently working on a book project, The Revivalist: James R. Schlesinger and the Rebirth of Cold War U.S. Nuclear Strategy. It examines the origins of diagnostic net assessment and competitive nuclear strategies. His work has been published in Breaking Defense, National Review Online, The Hill, The National Interest, and War on the Rocks.

Robert J. Peters is Chief of the Strategic Integration Directorate within the Strategic Trends and Effects Department (STED) at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). He leads efforts to generate actionable insights on counter-WMD and emerging threats, assess agency effectiveness, and foster strategic dialogues with allies through research and exercises.

Previously, Peters was a Senior Research Fellow at the National Defense University’s Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction. He also served as Special Assistant to the DASD for Countering WMD at the Office of the Secretary of Defense-Policy, and held roles at Northrop Grumman and the Potomac Institute.

He holds an MA in National Security Studies from Georgetown University and a BA in Political Science and History from Miami University. His published work includes articles in Strategic Studies Quarterly, 38 North, and the Nonproliferation Review.

Article Link: Forge ahead with the Sentinel ICBM, but consider making it mobile - Breaking Defense

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Join us for an insightful conversation with Brian Zieroth, Senior Program Manager at the Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) at Y-12. Discover the pivotal role UPF plays in supporting the nation's nuclear deterrent and global security missions. Brian shares the challenges and triumphs of modernizing uranium processing capabilities, emphasizing the importance of safety and innovation. With construction set to complete in 2027, UPF is poised to be a cornerstone of national security infrastructure. Don't miss this deep dive into a project that ensures our strategic deterrent remains robust and reliable.

Brian is the senior project manager for the Uranium Processing Facility (UPF) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a plant designed to replace older, outdated facilities and meet modern safety and environmental standards. He is responsible for all engineering, procurement, construction, and startup activities. He has nearly 30 years’ experience with Bechtel, and is a Bechtel Principal Vice President. Brian brings diverse industry experience to his leadership role for the UPF project.

He has held project management roles of increasing responsibility at the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) at the Hanford site, the Chemistry and Metallurgy Replacement Project (CMRR) at Los Alamos National Laboratory, UPF, and as Director for Enterprise Line-Item Projects at Consolidated Nuclear Security, where he provided oversight for the Y-12 site in Oak Ridge and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, TX. In 2022, he became area project manager for the main processing building at UPF, before being named to his current role in 2024.

He joined Bechtel in 1997 in the Information Systems and Technology group for Bechtel Enterprises. In 2003, he became deputy IS&T manager on the Iraq reconstruction project in Baghdad. In 2006, he moved to the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project in Idaho. He was then named plant automation manager at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in 2010 and chief information officer at WTP in 2012.

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Dr. Michaela Dodge discusses the ongoing conflict between Russia and the West, emphasizing the need for the United States to recognize and respond to Russia's aggressive actions. The conversation explores the historical context of Russia's imperial ambitions, the challenges of mobilizing public support for defense spending, and the importance of education in fostering informed citizens. Dodge argues that the U.S. must take adversarial threats seriously and prepare accordingly to ensure national security and global stability.

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Adam welcomes Major General Colin Connor where he focuses on the modernization of the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) system, specifically the Sentinel ICBM. Major General Connor, who leads the modernization efforts at Air Force Global Strike Command, shares insights into the challenges and progress of the Sentinel program. The conversation covers the importance of maintaining the Minuteman 3 system until Sentinel is fully operational, the complexities of modernizing infrastructure, and the critical role of collaboration with industry partners. The episode emphasizes the strategic significance of ICBMs in national security and the ongoing efforts to ensure the new system meets future needs.

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Dr. Tony Peurrung, a senior leader in data science, explores the evolution and significance of data science, particularly in the context of national security. He discusses the historical development of data science, its applications in various fields, and the challenges faced in implementing data-driven solutions. The conversation also touches on the competitive landscape of data science between the U.S. and its adversaries, emphasizing the need for collaboration and innovation to harness the full potential of data science in addressing national security challenges.

Dr. Peurrung is recently retired after a 31-year career at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory during which he made varied contributions as leader, scientist, and technology developer. His culminating executive leadership roles held between 2010 and 2024 included Associate Laboratory Director for National Security, Chief Research Officer, and Deputy Laboratory Director for Science and Technology.

In his role as Deputy Director for Science and Technology, Dr. Peurrung stewarded PNNL's science and technology capabilities to address critical challenges in science, energy, the environment, and national security. He also played a leading role in institutional strategy development, managed PNNL's internal investment portfolio, and held responsibility for technology commercialization activities. As Associate Laboratory Director he was responsible for all aspects of the laboratory’s national security mission portfolio including strategy development, leadership development, programmatic execution, and financial management. Under his leadership, PNNL delivered impactful science and technology to sponsors in the Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and other mission sponsors.

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Gordon Chang discusses the significant threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party under Xi Jinping. They explore China's imperial ambitions, the mindset of its leadership, the implications for Taiwan, and the potential for conflict. Gordon also delves into China's nuclear ambitions and the ongoing warfare through means such as fentanyl trafficking, emphasizing the need for Americans to recognize and respond to these threats.

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Tristan Tang discusses Taiwan's security dilemma in the face of increasing threats from China. The conversation explores the Taiwanese perspective on military preparedness, defense spending, and the expectations of U.S. support in the event of a conflict. Tristan shares insights on the societal attitudes towards the threat of invasion, the military strategies being employed, and the potential consequences of a Chinese takeover. The discussion concludes with Tristan's wishes for Taiwan's future, emphasizing the need for peace, political harmony, and strong U.S. military presence in the region.

K. Tristan Tang is an associate fellow at the Research Project on China’s Defense Affairs, Secure Taiwan Associate Corporation, and a member of the Pacific Forum’s Young Leaders Program. His research focuses on China’s defense industry and the People’s Liberation Army. His work has appeared in the U.S. Naval War College’s CMSI Note, U.S. Air University’s Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, the Jamestown Foundation’s China Brief, the Pacific Forum’s PacNet, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s The Strategist, and The Diplomat. He frequently posts overview maps of PLA activities around Taiwan and across the Pacific on X (@KTristanTang) and LinkedIn. He is also the founder of KTT’s wargame, a popular science simulation of cross-strait conflict scenarios designed for non-military experts and the general public.

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In this episode of NucleCast, Adam interviews Dr. Rich Tighe, the president and CEO of Consolidated Nuclear Security, discussing the current operations and future outlook of the Y-12 National Security Complex. Rich explains the complex's historical significance, its current missions, and the challenges it faces in workforce recruitment and safety. The conversation also touches on modernization efforts, collaboration with design agencies, and the importance of community support. Rich shares his aspirations for the future, including the need for continued growth and innovation in nuclear security.

Richard (Rich) Tighe is president and chief executive officer of Consolidated Nuclear Security, the Bechtel led management and operating contractor for the Y 12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with a workforce of approximately 9,500. Tighe (pronounced “tie”) joined CNS in September 2022, and led the company through the separation of the Pantex Plant from CNS’s management and operating contract.

Before the separation, Tighe led a combined 13,500 employees through significant growth and record performance. As the National Nuclear Security Administration mission and project scope grew at the sites, CNS met all deliverables to the military under Tighe’s leadership. Additionally, during his tenure, CNS added more than 1,500 team members, including engineers, scientists, professional staff, and craft workers, and both sites improved safety performance, achieving more than 12.6 million consecutive hours without a lost time injury. Under Tighe’s leadership, CNS has been awarded a 2-year contract extension at Y-12.

Before joining CNS, Tighe served for nearly 4 years as president and general manager of National Aerospace Solutions (NAS), the Bechtel-led test operations and sustainment contractor for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex at Arnold Air Force Base near Tullahoma,

Tennessee. He also was manager of strategy, marketing, and business development for Bechtel’s Nuclear, Security, and Environmental global business unit, an $8 billion business. He served as the NS&E representative to the Bechtel Group Marketing and Business Development Committee and represented Bechtel on the board of managers for NAS and Kwajalein Range Services.

Tighe joined Bechtel in 2006 as marketing and business development manager; he was elected principal vice president in 2016 and senior vice president in 2023. Before his service with Bechtel, Tighe worked for Lockheed Martin at the Nevada Test Site for more than a decade, holding several scientific and management posts and ultimately advancing to assistant general manager for high-hazard test and evaluation.

Tighe was a postdoctoral fellow in the Nuclear Science Division of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at the University of California.

He earned a Ph.D. in experimental nuclear physics from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, and a B.S. in physics from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

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