The Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) has appointed James Chesnut, Senior Vice President, Nuclear Operations, to its Board of Directors for a three-year term. CEWD is a national, non-profit that works with electric, natural gas, and nuclear companies and their associations to develop the skilled, diverse workforce pipeline to meet future energy industry needs.
“This is a historic time for workforce development in the energy sector,” said Missy Henriksen, CEWD Executive Director. “It’s important the industry’s path forward is led by visionary thinkers and those who are passionate about building the talent pipeline in innovative ways. James is an ideal leader to join CEWD’s Board of Directors at this time as he is innately committed to the people side of the business, eager to enhance opportunities and drive initiatives that will ensure a highly skilled energy workforce to support the country’s growing energy demand.”
Chesnut is engaged in numerous workforce development efforts focused on careers in nuclear energy. He is active in Arizona at Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC), a career training facility for local high school students where his experience helps to influence skilled craft training programs and curriculum. He is the D&Z representative for the Supplier Advisory Committee with the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), where workforce development analysis is a critical focus, and he sits on NEI’s Workforce Working Group where he is a member who employs skilled craft workers. He is also active with the Western Maricopa Coalition’s West Valley Workforce Working Group that represents the West Valley of the Greater Phoenix region where he is recognized as a leader that employs craft workers.
In 2023, Chesnut testified alongside D&Z Chief Nuclear Officer Ross McConnell in support of Nebraska’s Legislative Bill 568 the Nuclear and Hydrogen Development Act to advocate for the workforce training needs of the nuclear industries and funding to support training courses in collaboration with Nebraska community and state colleges.
“I’m honored to be invited to serve CEWD’s Board of Directors and excited to get to work,” said Chesnut. “As a group, we can collaborate on actions that are innovative and bold at the national level to ensure the nation recognizes the workforce challenges that we face. Partnering with CEWD, allows us to be a strong voice in the industry and to approach government administrations that can help to fund and address training, curriculum and career opportunities for those who may not have that advantage otherwise.”
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D&Z’s Maintenance and Construction division helps customers in the power and industrial markets focus on doing their best work better by delivering safe, first-time quality maintenance, construction, engineering, and technical services. In addition to our long-standing, proven maintenance capabilities, we offer a suite of multidiscipline engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services to support large-scale, design-build projects. Plus, as a leading craft employer D&Z proudly provides long, meaningful careers to skilled craft professionals who build our future.
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