Lynchburg-based BWXT taps new CHRO

BWX Technologies, a Lynchburg-based nuclear components and fuel supplier manufacturer, has appointed Gonzalo Cajade as chief human resources officer, effective June 1.

He is succeeding Robert L. Duffy in leading human resources, according to BWXT‘s Thursday announcement. Duffy will continue with the company as chief administrative officer and as an executive adviser to the CEO.

Cajade has over 20 years of global human resources leadership experience, most recently being executive vice president and chief people officer at Terrepower, where he led efforts focused on company growth and mergers and acquisitions. He has also held roles at Otis Elevator, United Technologies Corp. (UTC) and Sikorsky Aircraft.

BWXT described Cajade as “a proven human resources strategist” and — as a person who has lived and worked across four continents — someone who brings a multicultural perspective to leadership. Cajade will report directly to CEO Rex D. Geveden and be a member of the executive leadership team.

“I am excited to welcome Gonzalo to BWXT,” Geveden said in a statement. “His deep experience, global perspective and commitment to people and culture make him an ideal fit to lead our HR function into the future.”

In March, BWXT celebrated the official opening of its new Innovation Campus, set on 11 acres in Campbell County. The campus includes 170,000 square feet of offices and manufacturing space, which will house laboratories where the company’s Advanced Technologies business unit will design, build and test advanced nuclear systems for its clients, which include NASA, the Defense Department and commercial businesses.

The company announced last week that it completed its $525 million acquisition of Kinectrics, which provides nuclear power plant lifecycle support services and lifecycle management services. The acquisition nearly doubled the workforce of BWXT’s commercial operations group and allows BWXT to expand its products and services. Kinectrics will operate as a BWXT subsidiary.

BWXT has nearly 10,000 employees and 20 major operating sites in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.