OUR SENIOR EXECUTIVES

Robert F. Willard (Bob), President and Chief Executive Officer

  • During his time in the Navy, he served in a variety of posts including commander of the amphibious flagship USS Tripoli (LPH 10), executive officer of Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), and commander of the "Screaming Eagles" of Fighter Squadron 51. During the Persian Gulf, under his command, USS Tripoli received a Navy Unit Commendation. As a flag officer, Mr. Willard twice served on the Joint Staff; was deputy and chief of staff for the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; commanded Carrier Group Five aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63); and commanded the U.S. Seventh Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan. In March 2005, Mr. Willard became the 34th vice chief of Naval Operations; in May 2007, he assumed command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet; and on October 19, 2009, he became the commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii. Mr. Willard’s decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and various other awards. 

Jeffrey J. Place (Jeff), Executive Vice President, Industry Strategy

  • During his time at INPO, Mr. Place has worked as vice president of Operations and Technical Support, director of Plant Evaluations, deputy director of Industry Training & Accreditation, WANO Peer Review team leader, and corporate secretary and staff assistant to the CEO. Before joining INPO, Mr. Place held various technical and leadership positions at four nuclear stations and served as Xcel Energy’s vice president of Nuclear Fleet Operations. He also served in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear program. Mr. Place serves on the Board of Directors of United Way of Greater Atlanta, Cobb County’s United Way Executive Advisory Committee, and as a member of the U.S. Women in Nuclear Executive Advisory Committee. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Kennesaw State University, a Bachelor of Science in applied science and technology from Thomas Edison State College, and a Bachelor of Science in human resource management from The New School.

Elizabeth M. Brattin (Lisa), Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy

  • She is a corporate evaluation team member and a senior management representative for Training & Accreditation. Ms. Brattin joined INPO in 1988 and has held various positions including senior vice president of Workforce Training, Education and Proficiency; executive director of the National Academy for Nuclear Training; vice president of Talent & Culture; director of Industry Learning; manager of NANTeL; and manager of Computer Systems. Before joining INPO, she worked as an IT consultant in New York City for Barlow Rand and for Mutual and Federal Insurance in South Africa. Ms. Brattin holds an Executive MBA from Emory University and a BBA from Oglethorpe University. She attended the Strategic Human Resources Planning program at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reactor Technology Course for utility executives.

Robert A. Gambrill (Bob), Vice President, New Nuclear Strategy

  • He ​recently served a dual role as vice president, International for the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) in Atlanta, Georgia and as the Director of the Atlanta Centre for the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO). Other previous positions include vice president of Industry Trends & Organization Learning​, director of WANO-AC Operations, and manager of Engineering/Configuration Management.

    From August 2019 until July 2020, Mr. Gambrill participated in an on-loan assignment at Ontario Power Generation, where he served as vice president of Fleet Operations, Maintenance and Radiation Safety.

    Prior to joining INPO, Mr. Gambrill held several management positions in design engineering and component engineering at the Palisades Nuclear Plant and as a project manager at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. He also served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant in a Special Boat Unit.

    Mr. Gambrill received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the United States Naval Academy.

Steve W. Meng (Steve), Vice President, International Strategy/Director, World Association of Nuclear Operators- Atlanta Centre

  • Steve joined INPO in 2007 and brings 35 years of experience to his role. Most recently, he was a loaned employee to Duke Energy where he served as Vice President, Corporate Operations.

    His previous positions include: Director, Plant Operations; Manager, Plant Operations; team leader; Director, Process Optimization; Manager, Emergency Preparedness; and WANO Operating Experience Technical Program Manager. Steve also served as the lead investigator and primary author for the INPO Special Report on the Nuclear Accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. ​

    In addition to INPO, Steve has worked as a Chief Engineer in the fossil industry, held positions in operations and training with General Electric – Knolls Atomic Power Laboratories, and engineering and operations with Exelon.

    Steve started his career in 1987 in the United States Navy. He received a bachelor's degree in marine engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and a master's degree in business administration from Regis University. Steve earned a senior reactor operator license at Clinton Power Station.