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# Former NRC Commissioners

The biographies for each of the Commissioners listed below are the official ones used during the Commissioners' terms.

Footnotes

1. Chairman Anders resigned 2 months before the end of his term.

2. On April 21, 1976, Marcus A. Rowden assumed the Chairmanship.

3. Commissioner Mason resigned one year before the end of his term.

4. On December 7, 1979, Joseph M. Hendrie vacated the Chairmanship but remained a Commissioner.

5. On March 3, 1981, Joseph M. Hendrie resumed the Chairmanship.

6. Commissioner Bradford resigned 3 months before the end of his term.

7. On December 7, 1979, John F. Ahearne assumed the Chairmanship.

8. On March 3, 1981, John F. Ahearne vacated the Chairmanship but remained as a Commissioner.

9. First term expired on June 30, 1985; Thomas Roberts took Oath of Office for second term on July 12, 1985.

10. James K. Asselstine completed Peter A. Bradford's term and was appointed to a full five-year term.

11. On June 28, 1984, Lando W. Zech, Jr. was nominated by the President. He received a recess appointment on July 3, 1984, and took office on July 5, 1984. On January 3, 1985, the President resubmitted the nomination to the 99th Congress for a full five-year appointment. The Senate subsequently confirmed the nomination and he took office for the full five-year term on March 6, 1985. On July 1, 1986, Lando W. Zech, Jr. assumed the Chairmanship.

12. Kenneth M. Carr served as Commissioner from August 14, 1986 to June 30, 1989, then assumed Chairmanship from July 1, 1989 to June 30, 1991.

13. Kenneth C. Rogers served as Commissioner from August 7, 1987 to June 30, 1992; was reappointed as Commissioner from July 1, 1992 to June 30, 1997.

14. Ivan Selin resigned June 30, 1995.

15. Vice President Dan Quayle presided at a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony at which Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor administered the oath.

16. Vice President Gore performed a ceremonial swearing-in at the OEOB/Indian Treaty Room on May 26, 1995.

17. On July 1, 1995, Shirley A. Jackson assumed the Chairmanship.

18. Greta J. Dicus was renominated to a new 5 year term as Commissioner on May 22, 1998. Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on October 21, 1998.

19. On July 1, 1999, Greta J. Dicus assumed the Chairmanship.

20. On October 29, 1999, Greta J. Dicus vacated the Chairmanship but remained as a Commissioner.

21. Nils J. Diaz was renominated to a new 5 year term as Commissioner on July 25, 2001. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on September 26, 2001.

22. On April 1, 2003, Nils Diaz assumed the Chairmanship.

23. On July 28, 2005, Edward McGaffigan was nominated for a new 5 year term. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on October 7, 2005 and signed by the President on October 12, 2005.

24. Commissioner McGaffigan passed away on September 2, 2007.

25. On June 17, 2002, Jeffrey S. Merrifield was nominated for a new 5 year term. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on August 1, 2002 and signed by the President on August 2, 2002.

26. On October 29, 1999, Richard A. Meserve assumed the Chairmanship.

27. On March 31, 2003, Richard A. Meserve resigned.

28. On January 19, 2005 President Bush recess appointed Gregory Jaczko (term to end at the end of Senate's session late 2006).

29. Commissioner Jaczko nomination was confirmed by the Senate on May 26, 2006 and signed by the President on May 31, 2006.

30. On December 4, 2007, Commissioner Jaczko was nominated for a new 5-year term. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 14, 2008, and signed by the President on March 17, 2008.

31. Senator Harry Reid performed a ceremonial swearing-in at the Senate Office Building on April 28, 2008.

32. On May 13, 2009 President Obama appointed Gregory Jaczko as Chairman of the NRC.

33. On July 9, 2012 Gregory Jaczko resigned.

34. On January 19, 2005, President Bush recess appointed Peter Lyons for two years (end of Senate’s session late 2006).

35. Commissioner Lyons nomination was confirmed by the Senate on May 26, 2006 and signed by the President on May 31, 2006.

36. Dr. Dale Klein was nominated to be Chairman by President George W. Bush on April 27, 2006. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on May 26, 2006 and signed by the President on June 30, 2006.

37. Vice President Cheney performed a ceremonial swearing-in at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on July 6, 2006.

38. On May 13, 2009, Dale Klein vacated the Chairmanship but remained as Commissioner.

39. On March 29, 2010, Dale Klein resigned.

40. Dr. George Apostolakis was nominated by President Obama on October 13, 2009. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 19, 2010, and signed by the President on March 29, 2010.

41. William D. Magwood, IV was nominated by President Obama on October 13, 2009. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 19, 2010, and signed by the President on March 29, 2010. Mr. Magwood was appointed to fill the remainder of Commissioner McGaffigan's term ending June 30, 2010, and appointed to a new 5 year term ending June 30, 2015.

42. William D. Magwood IV resigned on August 31, 2014.

43. William C. Ostendorff was nominated by President Obama on December 12, 2009. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 19, 2010, and signed by the President on March 29, 2010.

44. On April 14, 2011, President Obama nominated Commissioner Ostendorff for an additional 5 year term. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on June 30, 2011, and signed by the President on July 5, 2011.

45. On May 24, 2012, President Obama nominated Allison M. Macfarlane as Chaiman for the remainder of Gregory Jaczko's term. Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on June 28, 2012, and signed by the President on July 9, 2012.

46. On March 21, 2013, President Obama nominated Chairman Macfarlane for an additional five-year term. Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on June 27, 2013, and signed by the President on June 28, 2013.

47. Allison M. Macfarlane resigned as Chairman effective on December 31, 2014.

48. On July 23, 2014, President Obama nominated Stephen G. Burns as Commissioner.  His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on September 16, 2014, and signed by the President on November 4, 2014.

49. On January 1, 2015, President Obama appointed Stephen G. Burns as Chairman of the NRC.

50. On January 23, 2017, Stephen Burns vacated the Chairmanship but remained as Commissioner.

51. Stephen G. Burns resigned on April 30, 2019

52. Kristine Svinicki was nominated by President Bush on May 2, 2007. Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on March 14, 2008, and signed by the President on March 17, 2008.

53.Kristine Svinicki was nominated by President Obama on May 8, 2012, for a second term. Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on June 28, 2012, and signed by the President on June 29, 2012.

54. On January 23, 2017, President Trump appointed Kristine L. Svinicki as Chairman of the NRC.

55. Kristine Svinicki was nominated by President Trump on June 5, 2017 for a third term. Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on June 26, 2017, and signed by the President on June 28, 2017.

56. Kristine Svinicki resigned on January 20, 2021.

57. On July 23, 2014, President Obama nominated Jeffery M. Baran as Commissioner for the remainder of William Magwood’s term. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on September 16, 2014, and signed by the President on October 14, 2014. 

58. On January 1, 2015, Jeffery Baran resigned from his appointment to fill the remainder of Allison Macfarlane’s term.

59. On November 13, 2014, President Obama nominated Jeffery M. Baran as Commissioner for the remainder of Allison Macfarlane’s term. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on December 8, 2014, and signed by the President on January 2, 2015.

60. On September 5, 2017, President Trump nominated Jeffery M. Baran for an additional 5-year term. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate on May 24, 2018, and signed by the President on May 25, 2018.

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, January 31, 2024