Engineers Nominated by the U.S. Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program

Lieutenant Theodore G. Doukas

Lt. Theodore G. Doukas, a nuclear engineering submarine officer, has excelled as the Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant, Quality Assurance Officer, and Assistant Engineer. His most significant contribution was a step improvement of the Quality Assurance program, resulting in the increased performance of the Engineering Department, the ship, and her sailors and receiving accolades during a recent Quality Assurance inspection. Doukas recently completed his Nuclear Engineer certification, and his leadership contributed to the ship being named as the 2006 Engineering “E” award recipient and back-to-back Battle Efficiency awards. Prior to entering the Navy, he worked as an engineer with Philips Medical Systems where he was responsible for the initial design, construction, and implementation of the first two prototypes of a hardened CT machine for use in Army Field Hospitals.

Doukas holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

doukastg@houston.navy.mil

Laura Iannacci, E.I.T.

Laura Iannacci, E.I.T., employed with Bechtel Bettis, Inc., is a lead engineer for several technical aspects of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program’s licensing of a geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) at Yucca Mountain. Integrating thermal and structural analyses, criticality evaluations, and corrosion calculations, she authored several key licensing documents currently being reviewed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Her education in civil engineering and engineering & public policy allows her to effectively communicate the design and analyses affecting the safety case for handling and emplacing naval SNF at Yucca Mountain.

Iannacci also actively develops and promotes the engineering profession through recruiting at Carnegie Mellon University, and conducting leadership training for undergraduate students.

sperdula@bettis.gov

Jonathan Lazzaro

Jonathan Lazzaro is a senior engineer with Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corporation in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, whose current expertise is in design of the most advanced reactor instrumentation and control systems in the nuclear navy. His current focus is equipment that monitors the vertical location of control rods in a nuclear reactor. He has led two development initiatives to simplify electronic circuits necessary for measuring two different types of rod position. These efforts have included testing to determine new designs and methods which have resulted in circuit card and integrated cabinet development and production cost savings of $5 million. In addition to his technical capabilities, Lazzaro has demonstrated strengths in leadership and project management.

Lazzaro holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics and a master’s degree in electrical engineering, both from the University of Pittsburg.

lazzaroj@bettis.gov

Leotaro Weitzenhoff

Leotaro Weitzenhoff, a nuclear engineer with the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program Headquarters in Washington D.C., has provided unparalleled support for the nation’s war fighters while simultaneously developing a vision for future naval spent nuclear fuel management. He has provided analysis and technical resolution of emergent shipboard problems, serving as the Navy’s “help desk” for the nation’s fleet of deployed strategic missile submarines to ensure these ships meet their national security missions. Weitzenhoff led Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program technical support for submarine propulsion plant testing and final acceptance sea trials, to ensure continued safe and reliable operation after refueling. He has also spearheaded long-term actions to modernize, maintain, and recapitalize NNPP infrastructure used to transfer, prepare, and package spent nuclear fuel.

Weitzenhoff has also taught course in thermodynamics, fluid systems, and reactor plant structures for future submarine officers. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a bachelor’s degree in economics, both from the University of Pennsylvania.

Leotaro.weitzenhoff@navy.mil

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