our Executive Leaders
Meet the executive leadership team behind our mission to promote safety and reliability in nuclear operations
Robert (Bob) F. Willard
President and Chief Executive Officer
Robert F. (Bob) Willard has served as President and CEO of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) since May 2012, leading the organization in execution of its mission “to promote the highest levels of safety and reliability – to promote excellence – in the operation of commercial nuclear power plants. Prior to joining INPO, Admiral Willard completed a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy, culminating in command of United States Pacific Command.
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Bob graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1973 and holds a master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University. He is also an MIT Seminar XXI alumnus.
An F-14 aviator, he served in a variety of west coast fighter squadrons, was Operations Officer and Executive Officer of Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and commanded the “Screaming Eagles” of VF-51. Following nuclear-power training, he was Executive Officer of USS Carl Vinson and commanded the amphibious flagship USS Tripoli (LPH 10), and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
As a Flag Officer, Admiral Willard served in the Pentagon twice, commanded Carrier Group Five aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in Yokosuka, Japan, and commanded the U.S. Seventh Fleet. In 2005, he became the 34th Vice Chief of Naval Operations. In May 2007, he assumed command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and in October 2009, he became Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii.
In November 2024, Bob and his wife, Donna, celebrated their 50th anniversary. Donna is the lifetime sponsor of the Virginia class submarine, USS California. Bob and Donna have three children, Jennifer, Bryan and Mark, and four grandchildren.
Jeffrey (Jeff) J. Place
Executive Vice President, Industry Strategy & Chief Nuclear Officer
Jeff joined INPO in June 1999 and was elected as executive vice president in January 2018. In this role, Jeff is responsible for all INPO’s and the World Association of Nuclear Operators’ (WANO) commercial nuclear industry facing operations across the United States and seven other member countries.
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Jeff’s previous positions at INPO include 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 technical staff assistant to the CEO. Jeff also held an executive role at Xcel Energy, as vice president of Nuclear Fleet Operations. Prior to joining INPO, Jeff held various technical and leadership positions at four nuclear stations. He also served in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear program.
Jeff serves on the board of directors of United Way of Greater Atlanta and on Cobb County’s United Way Executive Advisory Committee. Jeff is also a member of U.S. Women in Nuclear Executive Advisory Committee.
Jeff 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 (Lisa) M. Brattin
Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy
Lisa Brattin was elected executive vice president, Corporate Strategy, in May 2021. Her responsibilities include Talent & Culture, Corporate Operations, and Corporate Services.
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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.
James B. Henderson
Vice President, New Nuclear Growth
James Henderson joined the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations in 2020 and serves as vice president of New Nuclear Growth.
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He previously served as director of New Nuclear and director of Industry Training & Accreditation. Earlier INPO positions included manager of Plant Operations, corporate continuum leader, and organizational effectiveness leader.
Prior to joining INPO, Mr. Henderson served in the fossil industry as vice president of Power Generation for Entergy Texas. He also held several leadership positions in operations, training and engineering at River Bend Station.
Mr. Henderson received his senior reactor operator License in 2010. He holds a Master of Science in finance from William & Mary, as well as a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Louisiana State University.
Steve W. Meng
Vice President, International Strategy/Director, World Association of Nuclear Operators- Atlanta Centre
Steve Meng serves a dual role as vice president, International and as director for the WANO-Atlanta Center. He assumed both positions in August 2023.
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Mr. Meng 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. He 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, Mr. Meng has worked as a chief engineer in the fossil industry, held positions in operations and training with General Electric – Knolls Atomic Power Laboratories and held positions in engineering and operations with Exelon.
Mr. Meng 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.