No: 19-023 May 16, 2019

CONTACT: Office of Public Affairs, 301-415-8200

NRC Makes Senior Management Selections

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission today announced senior management selections filling 

several key positions.

Catherine Haney, the NRC Region II Administrator in Atlanta, has been selected as 

Assistant for Operations in the Office of the Executive Director for Operations, and will replace

Robert J. Lewis. In addition to her AO responsibilities, Haney will be the lead for strategic 

initiatives that will benefit from her unique and extensive regulatory experience. Lewis will become 

Deputy Director in the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.

Haney joined the NRC in 1981 as a health physicist intern in the former Office of Inspection 

and Enforcement and has held key agency positions, including the following: Director, Division of 

Operating Reactor Licensing, and NMSS Director. She earned a bachelor’s degree in radiological 

technology from the University of Maryland and a master’s degree in radiological science from 

Emory University. Haney will soon begin transitioning to her new role based at the agency’s 

Rockville, Md., headquarters.

Laura A. Dudes, currently NRC Region II Deputy Administrator, will become the region’s 

Administrator, and will replace Haney. Dudes joined the NRC in 1994 as a reactor engineer intern

and has held various important positions, including senior resident inspector at the Oyster Creek 

Nuclear Generating Station and Director, Division of Construction Inspection and Operational 

Programs, Office of New Reactors. Dudes received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in 

mechanical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. She will transition to her new 

position in the next month.

Vonna L. Ordaz, has been selected as the Director, Office of Small Business and Civil 

Rights, concurrent with the retirement of Pamela R. Baker, currently SBCR Office Director.

Ordaz joined the NRC in 1991 as an engineer in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

and has since held a number of key positions, including Region IV resident inspector, and notable 

leadership roles in safety and security functions. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical 

engineering from the University of Maryland.

“As those on our senior leadership team retire or pursue other endeavors, it is essential that 

we fill these principal positions with highly talented, broadly skilled, and energetic leaders with a 

willing commitment to help transform our agency,” said Executive Director for Operations 

Margaret M. Doane. “It is with great pride that I announce these selections.”
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Other leadership changes:

Scott W. Moore, currently NMSS Deputy Director, has been selected as Acting Deputy 

Director in the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research. Mark D. Lombard, currently Deputy 

Director in the Office of Administration, will become Deputy Director in the Office of Nuclear 

Security and Incident Response. He replaces John W. Lubinski, formerly NSIR Deputy Director, 

and currently NMSS Director. The selection of Lombard’s replacement is pending.

Brian J. McDermott, currently NRR Deputy Director for Engineering, has been selected 

NRR Deputy Office Director for Reactor Safety Programs and Mission Support, and will replace

Michele G. Evans, who will retire this summer. Mirela Gavrilas, currently NRR Director, Division 

of Safety Systems, will become NRR Deputy Office Director for Engineering.