Speakers

James P. Danly was sworn in as Deputy Secretary on June 9, 2025.

Before arriving at the Department, Deputy Secretary Danly was a partner and the Energy Regulatory Group leader at Skadden in Washington, D.C. This followed his service at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, first as the Commission’s general counsel then as the commissioner and chairman. 

Deputy Secretary Danly was an officer in the United States Army. He served two tours in Iraq, receiving a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. 

A graduate of Yale University, Deputy Secretary Danly earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School. He clerked for Judge Danny J. Boggs of the Sixth Circuit. 

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann is a conservative Republican representing the 3rd District of Tennessee. The District is comprised of 10 counties: Anderson, Bradley, Campbell, Hamilton, McMinn, Monroe, Morgan, Polk, Roane, and Scott.

Fleischmann serves on the Appropriations Committee, which is vitally important to the residents of the 3rd District. Within the Committee, he serves on three crucial subcommittees:

• Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies
• Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
• Defense

As well as serving on the Appropriations Committee, Fleischmann also sits on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Within the Committee, he serves on the Energy Subcommittee.

In the 119th Congress, Fleischmann was named Chairman of the Energy and Water Subcommittee of Appropriations. As Chairman, he leads the charge to fund the federal agencies and programs responsible for the United States’ national laboratories, nuclear security, and energy independence. In addition, this subcommittee assignment is of paramount importance to the northern region of the Third District, which is home to Oak Ridge National Lab, Y-12 National Security Complex, and a large environmental cleanup mission.

Bill Tindal is currently detailed to serve as the director of the Tennessee Nuclear Network (TNN), where he leads statewide efforts to strengthen Tennessee’s nuclear workforce, expand collaborative partnerships, and advance strategic initiatives supporting the region’s rapidly growing nuclear sector. Tindal serves in this capacity as a loaned executive from Omega Technical Services, where Bill is the Chief Executive Officer.

At Omega, Tindal has guided the company’s vision, mission, and long‑term strategy, drawing on more than 35 years of leadership and operational experience in highly hazardous nuclear facility operations. Before becoming CEO, he served as Omega’s President, overseeing day‑to‑day operations, financial performance, and companywide resource alignment to support growth across diverse customers and markets. Tindal continues to remain engaged with Omega’s executive team while on detail to TNN.

Prior to joining Omega, he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC, the management and operating contractor for the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y‑12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee—organizations comprising more than 10,000 personnel and managing annual budgets exceeding $2.5B. Earlier, as Chief Operating Officer, Tindal worked closely with leaders across both sites to strengthen internal operations, respond to emerging financial trends, and enhance collaboration with nuclear weapons design agencies.

Daniel Ray Smith is business manager of IBEW Local Union 270. During his short tenure, the IBEW Local Union 270 has nearly tripled its membership and Smith currently is the prime representative for more than 1,000 IBEW members on Department of Energy, TVA, and other various sites throughout the jurisdiction.

He began his career as an electrical apprentice with the Oak Ridge Electrical JATC, and later became an instructor for the JATC. He has since worked for numerous electrical contractors, serving as foreman, general foreman, superintendent, and project manager on several large projects. In 2015, Smith was named training director for the Oak Ridge Electrical JATC. During that time, Daniel also worked closely with IBEW Local Union 270 advising and aiding with multiple labor relation issues. 

Tamara Fleischhaker is president and CEO of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, where she leads efforts to strengthen the business community and advance economic vitality across the Oak Ridge Corridor. With more than 20 years of experience in chamber leadership and economic development, she brings expertise in strategic planning, business development, and community engagement from organizations ranging from family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Her leadership focuses on strengthening the workforce pipeline, addressing housing and community capacity, and supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship. Fleischhaker is committed to fostering collaborative partnerships that ensure Oak Ridge's growth benefits the entire community, creating a region where businesses succeed and future generations can thrive. 

Cindy Lockett is the career and technical education director for Roane County Schools. Under her leadership, Roane County Schools has launched and expanded K–12 CTE programming through strategic partnerships with industry and higher education, creating clear pathways to employment and lifelong learning for students.

Lockett believes all students deserve equitable access to high-quality education aligned with their college and career goals, free from barriers that limit opportunity or skill advancement.