Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power

28 - Amir Vexler: Securing America’s Nuclear Future: Centrus Energy and the New Era of Enrichment

Feb 23, 2026

Amir Vexler, President and CEO of Centrus Energy and veteran nuclear executive, leads the U.S. revival of uranium enrichment. He discusses rebuilding domestic centrifuge manufacturing at Oak Ridge and scaling the Piketon facility. Conversations cover national security, supply‑chain independence, timelines for 2029 production, and America’s role in global nuclear markets.

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INSIGHT

Integrated U.S. Enrichment And Manufacturing

Centrus combines enrichment operations in Piketon with centrifuge design and manufacturing in Oak Ridge to own the full U.S. supply chain.
The company runs a demo cascade in Ohio and launched centrifuge production at the Oak Ridge TMC to ensure domestic control over centrifuge supply.

INSIGHT

From USEC Roots To DOE‑Backed HALEU Demo

Centrus traces its roots to the U.S. government's enrichment program and evolved through privatization, bankruptcy, and technology development into today's Centrus.
The company ran a demo cascade producing HALEU in October 2023 after DOE-supported development and emerged from USEC bankruptcy to relaunch enrichment.

INSIGHT

Value Proposition Focused On U.S. Supply Independence

Centrus' value proposition is U.S.-based supply independence, national-security-capable technology, and supplier diversity.
Unlike competitors whose centrifuge supply chains sit overseas, Centrus claims a fully U.S. design, build, and supply chain.

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In this episode, host Dominique sits down with Amir Vexler, CEO of Centrus Energy, for an in‑depth look at the revival of American uranium enrichment and what it means for the future of U.S. energy independence. As the only American‑owned company enriching uranium on U.S. soil, Centrus occupies a uniquely strategic position at the intersection of national security, advanced nuclear technologies, and global energy competition.

Vexler shares his journey through the nuclear industry, the challenges of rebuilding a domestic enrichment capability, and why execution, innovation, and reliability matter now more than ever. He discusses Centrus’s expanding footprint at the massive Piketon facility, the company’s investment in next‑generation centrifuge manufacturing, and its role in building a diverse, resilient, American‑led nuclear fuel supply chain.

From re‑industrializing America to forging new global partnerships, this conversation offers a rare inside look at one of the most important—and least understood—elements of the modern nuclear ecosystem.

Amir Vexler is president and chief executive officer of Centrus Energy Corp. He also serves on the company’s board of directors. Mr. Vexler has extensive experience in the nuclear fuel industry and a strong background in manufacturing, engineering services, commercial operations, and business development.

Prior to joining Centrus, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Orano USA, overseeing Orano’s U.S. sales of nuclear fuel, decommissioning services, used nuclear fuel management, and medical isotopes as well as engineering and technology services for the federal government.

Previously, Mr. Vexler spent 20 years at General Electric Company, where he served in a number of leadership positions, including Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Operating Officer of Global Nuclear Fuels (GNF), a joint venture of GE and Hitachi. GNF is a global provider of nuclear fuel and related services. He earned a BASc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University.