Joel Burch

BWX Technologies, Inc.
Nuclear Operations Group – Retired in 2022

B. Joel Burch has more than 38 years of experience in the nuclear industry, primarily in the safe and reliable operations of the nuclear fuel manufacturing facilities operated by BWXT.  He worked in progressive senior leadership roles for the BWXT Nuclear Operation Group (BWXT NOG) Inc. manufacturing facilities primarily in Lynchburg, VA. and briefly in Erwin, TN prior to his retirement in 2022.

His most recent assignments included serving as the Vice President of the BWXT’s Innovation Campus where he set the strategy, planning, and overall execution of the facility located in Lynchburg, VA.; and serving as the acting President of Nuclear Fuel Services in Erwin, TN.

For approximately 9 years, Burch served as the Vice President and General Manager for BWXT NOG in Lynchburg, VA.  He was responsible for the operations of more than 2,200 technical and skilled employees in the manufacture of the highest quality naval nuclear reactors for submarine and aircraft carriers, as well as providing nuclear fuel components for U.S. and international research and test facilities. He helped establish the culture that resulted in continuous improvement and operational excellence consistent with the priorities of the business; safety and security, quality, schedule and cost.  As part of the BWXT senior leadership team, he has extensive experience working closely with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Prior to his senior leadership roles, he worked in development and process design for several of the latest naval nuclear reactor designs.

Burch completed the executive program at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.  He earned a Master of Science in industrial administration from Lynchburg College, and a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.