Charting America’s Newest Frontiers

Westin Hotel, Chattanooga, Tennessee

IMPORTANT: If your organization is part of the TVC Leadership Council or a Summit Sponsor, please register by contacting your organization’s TVC contact to ensure your complimentary registration as part of the organization’s Group Registration.

The Agenda

Summit Location:

Westin Hotel Chattanooga

801 Pine St,

Chattanooga, TN 37402

All Times Eastern Daylight Time

Check back regularly for agenda updates.

Day 1 // Thursday // May 28, 2026

Summit Exhibits Set-Up 9am - Noon

Westin Hotel, Downtown Chattanooga
Summit Registration Opens 10am

Westin Hotel, Downtown Chattanooga
Summit Welcome & Opening 1 - 1:45pm

Westin Hotel Ballroom

Greetings and Remarks:
Lonnie Lawson, TVC Board Chair, The Center for Rural Development
Congressman Chuck Fleischmann
Congressman John Rose

Opening Presentation:
Dr. Lori Mann Bruce, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
General Session One 1:45 - 3pm

Driving Innovation in Quantum and AI

Session Host:
Betsey Kirk McCall, Seven States Power Corporation

Opening Presentations:
Janet Rehberg, Electric Power Board of Chattanooga
Dr. Stephen Streiffer, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Panel Discussion: Leveraging Tennessee's Quantum Initiative
Moderator - Charlie Brock, Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative
Dr. Shaun Gleason, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Ryan Harring, IonQ
Dr. Rick Mukherjee, UT Chattanooga
Braden Stover, Tenn. Dept of Economic and Community Development
David Wade, Electric Power Board of Chattanooga
General Session Two 3:15 - 5:15pm

Leading America’s Nuclear Renaissance

Session Host:
Rich Tighe, CNS/Y-12 National Security Complex

Opening Remarks:
Congressman Chuck Fleischmann

Keynote Remarks:
Deputy Secretary James Danly, U.S. Department of Energy

Panel Discussion: Powering the Nation's Nuclear Future
Moderator - Bill Tindal, Tennessee Nuclear Network
Ken Givens, BWXT
Jason Hatfield, TRISO-X
David Ross, Bechtel Project Manager, TVA Clinch River

Panel Discussion: Building Our Regional Workforce
Moderator - Meghan Millwood, Oak Ridge Associated Universities
Dr. Rebecca Ashford, Chattanooga State Community College
Randy Boyd, The University of Tennessee
Dr. Robert Lindquist, The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Dr. Krish Roy, Vanderbilt University
Dr. Terry Saltsman, Tennessee Tech University

Closing Remarks:
Lonnie Lawson, TVC Board Chair, The Center for Rural Development
Summit Reception 5:15 - 6:15pm

Summit Exhibits Area, Westin Hotel
Dinner on Own in Chattanooga or Enjoy A Night at the Ballpark!

Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Knoxville Smokies - 6:30 pm at Erlanger Park - Ticket Info Coming Soon!

Day 2 // Friday // May 29, 2026

Continental Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30am

Westin Hotel Ballroom
General Session Three 8:30 - 10:15am

Ensuring America’s National Security

Session Host: Brigid Weissert, Protection Strategies, Inc./C2 Labs

Greetings and Remarks:
Mayor Weston Wamp, Hamilton County, Tenn.

Keynote Remarks:
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn

Remarks:
Congressman Chuck Fleischmann

Keynote Remarks:
Under Secretary and NNSA Administrator Brandon Williams, National Nuclear Security Administration, US Department of Energy

Panel Discussion: Ensuring America’s National Security
Moderator - Dr. Martin Williamson, Y-12 National Security Complex
Dr. Doug Adams, Vanderbilt University Institute of National Security
Jay Carroll, Jay Carroll & Associates/Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Retired)
Dr. Deborah Crawford, University of Tennessee
Jonathan Pettus, Auburn Applied Research Institute
General Session Four 10:30 - 11:15am

Powering Our Future in Space and Defense Opening Presentation:
Acting Director Rae Ann Meyer, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Greeting and Remarks:
Nathan Green, Vanderbilt University

Keynote Remarks:
Congressman Matt Van Epps
Closing Remarks and Adjourn 11:15 - 11:30 am

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann
Lonnie Lawson, TVC Board Chair, The Center for Rural Development

Day 1 // Thursday // May 28, 2025

Summit Exhibits Set-Up 9am - Noon

New Hope Center, Y-12 National Security Complex
Summit Registration Opens 9am

New Hope Center, Y-12 National Security Complex
Summit Welcome 1pm

New Hope Center, Y-12 National Security Complex

Greetings and Remarks:
Mark Gradkowski, TVC Board Chair
Rich Tighe, CNS/Y-12 National Security Complex
General Session One 1:15 - 3pm

Working Together to Create The Nation’s Energy Hub

Greetings and Remarks:
Congressman Chuck Fleischmann
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn

Panel Discussion:
Moderator - Mike Magill, Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corporation
Commissioner Stuart McWhorter, TN Dept. of Economic & Community Development
Erik Olds, Manager, U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management
Ken Rueter, UCOR
Dr. Ashley Stowe, Oak Ridge Associated Universities
Dr. Chris Whaley, Roane State Community College
Dr. Brian Wirth, UT Knoxville Nuclear Engineering
General Session Two 3:30 - 5pm

Powering the Future of New Nuclear

Session Host: Sean Gleason, IB3 Global Solutions

Greetings and Remarks:
Congressman Tim Burchett

Opening Presentations:
Don Moul, Tennessee Valley Authority
Dena Volovar, Bechtel

Panel Discussion:
Moderator - Tracy Boatner, East Tennessee Economic Council
Joel Duling, President, TRISO-X
Peter Hastings, Kairos Power
Dr. Brooke Morrison, Solestiss
Jean-Luc Palayer, Orano USA
Mike Rinehart, Kiewit Nuclear Solutions
Amir Vexler, CEO, Centrus

Closing Presentation: Joseph Pelfrey, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Summit Reception 5 - 6pm

New Hope Center, Y-12 National Security Complex
TVC 30th Anniversary Dinner 6:30 - 8:30pm

Invitation-Only*
Hosted by the City of Oak Ridge

Oak Ridge Conference Center
*Due to capacity restrictions, this is an invitation-only event for TVC Board and Leadership Council members, Summit Sponsors, and other invited guests

Day 2 // Friday // May 29, 2025

Continental Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30am

New Hope Center, Y-12 National Security Complex
General Session Three 8:30 - 10:15am

Leading the Nation in Science, Research & Space

Session Host: Erin Koshut, Cummings Research Park

Greetings and Reflections:
Former Congressman Zach Wamp

Opening Presentations:
Dr. Stephen Streiffer, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Dr. Donde Plowman, University of Tennessee Knoxville

Panel Discussion:
Moderator - Nathan Green, Vanderbilt University
Dr. Lori Mann Bruce, Tennessee Tech University
Evann Freeman, EPB Chattanooga
Shaun Gleason, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Dr. Robert Lindquist, University of Alabama in Huntsville
Betsey Kirk McCall, Seven States Power Corporation
General Session Four 10:30 - 11:45am

Ensuring America's Continued Security & Leadership

Session Host: Dr. Martin Williamson, CNS/Y-12 National Security Complex

Greetings and Remarks:
Mary Helen Hitson, National Nuclear Security Administration
Congressman Scott DesJarlais

Panel Discussion:
Moderator - Sean P. Williams, C2Labs and Protection Strategies, Inc.
Dr. Deborah Crawford, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Dr. Moe Khaleel, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Ben Souther, Bechtel
Dr. Craig Whittinghill, Auburn University McCrary Institute
Closing Remarks Noon - 12:15pm

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann
Mark Gradkowski, TVC Board Chair

Keynote Speakers and Panelists

Confirmed Speakers

Invited Speakers

+ Many More!

Many Thanks To Our 2026 National Summit Sponsors

& TVC Leadership Council Members