BWXT appoints new president of nuclear operations

The new president of BWX Technology’s Nuclear Operations Group Inc. spent three decades working for the Navy as a civilian.

Sharon H. Smoot started her new position Aug. 1. She is responsible for the BWXT subsidiary’s mission to provide a range of nuclear components and services, including manufacturing reactor components for Navy submarines and aircraft carriers as well as nuclear and non-nuclear research and development and component production, the Lynchburg-based Fortune 1000 defense contractor said in a news release.

“Sharon brings not only proven executive leadership in large, complex industrial and naval operations, but also a reputation for delivering results while inspiring confidence in customers and employees,” Kevin McCoy, president of BWXT’s government operations, said in a statement. “Her successful career within the highest levels of the U.S. Navy across fiscal, policy, nuclear industrial operations and technical functions will be highly valuable in effectively managing our nuclear production facilities in the U.S.”

Smoot spent more than 30 years working for the Navy as a civilian, most recently as executive director for logistics, maintenance and industrial operations for the Naval Sea Systems Command. She also held positions of increasing responsibility in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command and at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. She earned a master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech. She succeeds Joel W. Duling, who has retired.

BWXT has approximately 6,600 employees across the United States and Canada, as well as joint ventures at more than a dozen Energy Department and NASA facilities.