After a diligent and extensive search, the Southeast Compact Commission is pleased to announce that Dr. Thomas Hansen will serve as Executive Director beginning February 15, 2022.  

The Commission made this selection based on Tom’s extensive experience and professional achievements. Tom possesses more than 30 years of nuclear field experience and has planned, managed, or overseen decommissioning projects at more than 60 sites. He is the founder of a decommissioning and waste management firm, Ameriphysics, LLC, and since 2008 his company has managed more than 100 million pounds of radioactive waste with shipments to virtually every disposal site and processing facility in the nation. His education includes a PhD in public health education, a master’s in health physics, and a bachelor’s in radiation protection. Tom is a Certified Health Physicist, Registered Radiation Protection Technologist , and 8-year veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served as a nuclear mechanical operator on submarines. He is widely regarded as an expert on nuclear decommissioning and waste management processes.  

We are confident that Tom’s many talents, active leadership approach, and wide-ranging experience will help us continue the Commission’s record as a high-integrity, active leader in a regional and national cooperative effort to promote the protection of public health and safety through responsible low-level radioactive waste management.  

Tom will work closely with the Commission by providing leadership for day-to-day operations of the organization and by assisting the Commission in developing and implementing a vision and strategic plan to ensure that low-level radioactive waste generators in the southeast party states continue to have access for permanent disposal of their waste.  

Ted Buckner’s last day as Executive Director will be February 28, 2022. Ted joined the Commission staff in 1991 after 16 years in corporate tax law and environmental lobbying. He assumed the role of Treasurer of the LLW Forum in 2008 and the role of Executive Director of the Commission in 2014. We cannot thank him enough for the dedication, leadership, and support he has provided over the past 30 years.   

Finally, we would like to thank the search committee and other board members, who participated in our decision-making process.   

Sincerely,  

John Williamson, Chairman  
Donna Hodges, Chairman-Elect