Section Officers

PRESIDENT

John Beam, a student in the Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology program, has over 30 years of defense and commercial nuclear experience. He is currently the corporate senior manager for health, safety, and environmental training with Fluor. Beam is responsible for the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of training for a global workforce of 30,000 plus employees and contractors.

He sees nuclear energy as the most promising clean energy solution to the global energy crisis and believes the future is bright for nuclear applications in the fields of imaging, radiation therapy, health physics, and medical physics.

Beam is finishing his final year of studies to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology and hopes to further his education with a master’s degree from Excelsior.

VICE PRESIDENT

Chelsea Troutman has worked in the nuclear power industry for the past 11 years. In 2023, Troutman became the regulatory assurance manager at James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant. Prior to joining the team at FitzPatrick, she spent five years in Nuclear Oversight where she began as an auditor and progressed to the Northeast regional oversight manager in 2020. Prior to her time in oversight, Troutman was a senior emergency preparedness specialist supporting the maintenance of emergency response facilities, provided training and interface with the Offsite Response Organizations, and served as the system manager for the siren systems around seven plants spanning Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.

She received a Bachelor of Science in Geography with a Mapping Technology concentration from Mansfield University in 2011 and a Master of Science in Emergency Management from Millersville University in 2013. As part of her master’s degree, she completed an internship with Exelon Generation, which kickstarted her career in the nuclear power industry. In October 2023, she began the Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology program at Excelsior University.

FACULTY ADVISOR

Richard Cole is an accomplished educator with over 45 years of experience in government and commercial nuclear operations. Starting as an instructor at the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Training Unit Idaho Falls in 1976, he has been part of numerous training organizations. He held numerous roles in nuclear operations and maintenance, both as an enlisted member and an officer, until his retirement in 1997. He then transitioned to the commercial nuclear industry and has worked at several nuclear plants. His experience and expertise include instructional design, instructor development, college instruction, training program evaluation, and training program accreditation. He lives in Fruitland Park, Florida with his wife of 52 years.

Richard received his bachelor’s in science from Excelsior University and holds a Doctor of Education from Valdosta State University, specializing in adult and career education. He has been an adjunct instructor at Excelsior since 2017 and joined the full-time faculty in 2024. Active in the American Nuclear Society for over 25 years, he was previously the chair of the Executive Committee for the Operations and Power Division and is a member of the Education, Training, and Workforce Development Division.