Hadron Energy Strengthens Leadership with Appointments of Olivia Hand and Tim Bussey
Hadron Energy, Inc. (“Hadron”), a pioneering force in the next generation of micro-modular nuclear technology, has announced two significant additions to its executive leadership team: Olivia Hand, P.E. as Head of Reactor Design, and Tim Bussey as Vice President of Business Development. These appointments mark a crucial step in Hadron’s mission to accelerate the deployment of its Hadron Halo Micro-Modular Reactor (MMR) — a 10 MWe light-water reactor engineered for factory fabrication, transportability, and long-term sustainability.
Olivia Hand: Engineering Leadership in Reactor Design
With nearly two decades of experience in advanced nuclear systems, Olivia Hand brings deep technical expertise in reactor design, thermal-hydraulic analysis, and component qualification. Her distinguished career spans several of the most influential organizations in the U.S. nuclear sector.
Before joining Hadron, Olivia served as Lead Principal Engineer at TerraPower, where she oversaw the design of the Natrium intermediate heat exchanger and led thermal-hydraulic analyses essential to the system’s performance and safety. She also directed development of the event design basis and the thermal hydraulic input for ASME thermal loading specifications — critical elements in ensuring reactor integrity and operational resilience.
Her prior tenure at NuScale Power further solidified her credentials. Over more than ten years, she played a key role in advancing the NPM-160 and NPM-20 small modular reactor (SMR) designs from concept through licensing. Her contributions encompassed component sizing, system safety design, thermal-hydraulic and vibration analyses, and the coordination of ASME-compliant validation testing. These achievements positioned NuScale as one of the early leaders in the SMR market.
Olivia’s nuclear engineering journey began with the U.S. Naval Reactors Program, where she supported the design and delivery of reactor systems for the Ford-class aircraft carriers—an experience that shaped her understanding of high-reliability, mission-critical energy systems.
At Hadron, Olivia will lead the design and analysis of all reactor systems and components for the Hadron Halo MMR. Her focus will include refining reactor cooling and safety systems and ensuring the design meets the stringent standards required for the company’s forthcoming manufacturing license submission to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
“Olivia’s experience with both light-water and advanced reactor systems makes her an exceptional fit for Hadron’s mission,” said Samuel Gibson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hadron Energy. “She combines deep analytical skill with practical project leadership, and her expertise will be vital as we transition from design to full-scale deployment of the Halo reactor.”
Olivia holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Chemical and Nuclear Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in Mechanical-Thermal Fluids (Oregon) and an active member of ASME and the American Nuclear Society.
Tim Bussey: Driving Business Growth and Strategic Partnerships
Joining Olivia in the leadership expansion, Tim Bussey brings more than two decades of experience spanning nuclear operations, engineering management, and energy infrastructure. His unique career path—from the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Program to data center operations at Meta—gives him a distinctive blend of technical depth and commercial insight.
Most recently, Tim served as a Data Center Campus Facility Manager at Meta in Papillion, Nebraska. There, he led operations and maintenance across a major hyperscale data center, overseeing teams responsible for critical power, cooling systems, and operational readiness. His leadership ensured round-the-clock reliability, safety, and efficiency—key benchmarks for digital infrastructure providers.
Tim’s nuclear background is equally impressive. He began his career in the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Program, serving aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) as an Engineering Laboratory Technician, managing chemistry control and operational safety for eight reactor plants. After transitioning to the civilian energy sector, he spent over fifteen years at Omaha Public Power District’s Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station, where he held senior engineering and operations roles including Principal Reactor Engineer, Reactor Engineering Manager, and Unit Supervisor. He also held a Senior Reactor Operator license from the NRC.
Later, at South Carolina Electric & Gas, Tim served as Nuclear Fuel and Analysis Supervisor, overseeing reactor core design, licensing, and fuel cycle management for Westinghouse nuclear units—further broadening his understanding of nuclear fuel systems and operational economics.
As Vice President of Business Development at Hadron, Tim will spearhead strategic partnerships, customer relations, and market expansion efforts. His dual expertise in regulated nuclear generation and hyperscale digital infrastructure will help bridge Hadron’s clean-energy technology with the fast-growing needs of data centers, defense installations, and industrial clients seeking reliable, carbon-free power sources.
“Tim’s leadership across commercial nuclear power and hyperscale data operations gives him a unique perspective on the evolving energy landscape,” said Gibson. “He understands the technical demands and commercial urgency driving the next generation of clean, distributed power.”
A Strategic Step Toward the Future of Nuclear Energy
These appointments come as Hadron accelerates its momentum following the announcement of a $1.2 billion definitive business combination agreement with GigCapital7 Corp. (Nasdaq: GIG). This transaction positions Hadron to become the world’s first publicly traded light-water micro-modular reactor company, a milestone that underscores its pioneering role in the global energy transition.
With the addition of Olivia Hand and Tim Bussey, Hadron Energy strengthens both its technical and commercial foundations at a pivotal moment in the U.S. nuclear renaissance. The company’s Hadron Halo MMR is designed to deliver secure, zero-carbon, high-reliability energy precisely where it is needed most — from industrial sites and data hubs to defense and remote communities.
Together, these leadership appointments and corporate developments signal Hadron’s commitment to transforming clean nuclear innovation into a scalable, deployable solution for the world’s growing energy demands.
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