Nuclear Regulatory Commission appoints new Region III administrator

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced Tuesday that K. Steven West will take over as the agency’s Region III administrator, effective Dec. 31, 2017.

West succeeds Cynthia D. Pederson, who retired on Dec. 30, 2017.

NRC Region III provides nuclear regulatory oversight in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin, which have 23 operating reactors at 15 sites, six decommissioning reactors at five sites and four research and test reactors. The regional office is located in Lisle, Illinois.

“Cindy is a highly effective leader and a consummate professional whose contributions to the NRC’s mission will be greatly missed,” Victor McCree, the NRC executive director for operations, said. “We wish her well in her retirement. Steve brings many years of professional experience and great enthusiasm to the position. He is a talented engineer with a demonstrated commitment to public service and an ideal choice for the regional administrator position.”

West was previously the acting director for the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response. He joined the NRC in 1985 as a fire protection engineer. He served in a number of positions in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation and held senior positions in the Senior Executive Service, Region III, Region IV and other headquarters offices.

West has received the NRC Meritorious Service Award for Engineering Excellence and the NRC Distinguished Service Award.