James F. Caldwell Jr.

Director since 2026, James F. (Frank) Caldwell Jr. is a member of the Audit and Governance Committees.

Frank is President, Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board of Orion Nuclear Energy Corporation. He retired from the U.S. Navy as Admiral in 2024 following a distinguished 43-year career, most recently serving as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP) from 2015 to 2024. In that role, he oversaw the safe, reliable operation of the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered submarine and aircraft carrier fleet and the organizations that support those programs. During his tenure, the program achieved more than 15 million miles steamed on nuclear power and more than 800 reactor-years of safe operations.

Prior to leading the NNPP, Frank served as Naval Inspector General from 2013 to 2015. Throughout his naval career, he held numerous command assignments, including USS Jacksonville (SSN 699), Submarine Development Squadron 12, Submarine Group 9 and the entire U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force from 2010 to 2013.

Frank also served on the Joint Staff as Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs and as Deputy Commander of U.S. Strategic Command's Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike. He played a significant role in strengthening international naval nuclear propulsion cooperation, including advancing collaboration with the United Kingdom and helping establish the framework supporting Australia's acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership.

He currently serves on the boards of Entergy Corporation and Severn Leadership Group and is a Strategic Advisory Panel Member of Uranium Energy Corporation and Rhoads Industries. His military honors include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal and Legion of Merit, among numerous other awards. From 2022 until his retirement, he served as the Navy's "Old Goat," the longest-serving U.S. Naval Academy graduate on active duty.