Nuclear Energy & the AI Future

Bill has shaped the U.S. nuclear industry for more than four decades and was instrumental in delivering the nuclear energy which exists today, with leadership roles spanning Department of Energy initiatives, advanced reactor development, and commercial deployment. He has led development and execution teams for several fast reactor projects and helped to startup many of the major reactor designs being developed today.

Barry T. Schneider was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in March 2023. Mr. Schneider is responsible for the company’s steel platform, steel fabrication platform, metals recycling platform, and oversees information technology and innovation. Prior to that, Mr. Schneider served as Senior Vice President, Flat Roll Steel Group responsible for the company’s entire flat roll steel operations, including the company’s three flat roll steel mills and numerous flat rolled processing, coating, and distribution operations. Mr. Schneider has been with Steel Dynamics since 1995, serving in various operational and leadership roles within the company’s steel operations, including Engineered Bar Products Division and Butler Flat Roll Division. He was also part of the team that constructed the company’s first steel mill in Butler, Indiana.

Mr. Schneider earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master of science in engineering management from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He also received an Executive Certificate in Technology, Operations, and Value Chain Management from the MIT Sloan School of Management. In addition, Mr. Schneider is the Chairman of the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) and served as a past President of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology.

Michelle Linnett Scott is a senior government official with more than 30 years of experience in nuclear energy policy, international cooperation, workforce development, research, and technology commercialization. She currently serves as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategic Crosscuts in DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy, leading programs in nuclear education, workforce development, R&D, and technology commercialization that support universities, national laboratories, industry, and federal workforce initiatives.

Previously, Ms. Scott served as a Senior Nuclear Infrastructure Expert at the International Atomic Energy Agency, where she led global efforts on nuclear infrastructure development and Small Modular Reactor deployment. She also supported emerging nuclear countries through technical guidance and international coordination.

Prior to Ms. Scott working at the IAEA, she served as the lead for engagement with the IAEA and chaired the U.S. interagency civil nuclear energy working group “Team USA,” coordinating policy and international cooperation across federal agencies. She has collaborated extensively with federal partners, national laboratories, universities, and industry on domestic and international nuclear initiatives.

Ms. Scott holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Howard University and served as a Congressional Fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Ben Worrell, MBA, leads the Location Advisory Services practice for McGuire Sponsel’s Indianapolis office. Ben works closely with McGuire Sponsel’s alliance firms and referral partners throughout the United States to identify, procure, and maximize economic development opportunities. He fosters client relationships by guiding clients through the intricate procurement and negotiation process associated with credits and incentives benefits.

Through his time as a small business advocate and advisor across management and economic development roles, Ben understands the value of a strong partnership between the client and the community. Across McGuire Sponsel’s four offices and national client footprint, Ben and the Location Advisory team offer a seamless and integrated approach for clients of all sizes and industries.

Ben graduated from Hanover College with a political science degree and received his MBA from Cedarville University.

Vanessa became the Indiana Chamber’s first female president and CEO on January 5, 2024.
After 20 years in Washington D.C. at the center of politics and power, Vanessa moved “home” to Indianapolis with her husband, a Clay County native, and their two sons. She founded Green Sinders Consulting, a woman-led firm offering strategic advice, project execution and crisis management, and leadership development and coaching services to clients.

Previously, Vanessa served as senior vice president for government affairs at Charter
Communications/Spectrum, a Fortune 100 cable and broadband company. She was
responsible for directing the company’s strategic policy and political engagement with Congress and the White House, as well as managing a seven-person internal team and 15 external consulting firms. Vanessa came to Charter after a four-year stint as senior vice president and department head for government affairs at the American Hotel & Lodging Association. In that capacity, she oversaw the association’s advocacy work at the federal, state and local levels, and managed the 10-person government affairs team.
Vanessa’s political and policy roots run deep. For a decade, earlier in her career, she held
high-profile positions on Capitol Hill, including chief of staff for then-U.S. Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts and policy director for former U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire.

Additionally, she was chief of staff for the “Campaign to Fix the Debt,” a nonpartisan issue-based coalition advocating for better national fiscal policies. There, she oversaw the implementation of the campaign’s strategy and directed the activities for its 45-person staff.
Vanessa received a bachelor’s degree in government with a minor in economics from
Dartmouth College.