Mason Baker
CFPP President
Mr. Mason Baker is the CFPP LLC Principal Investigator. Mr. Baker’s roles in the CFPP LLC include 1) key interface with the Department of Energy on management of the co-funding award, 2) key interface with congressional appropriations staff, and 3) key interface with UAMPS members, potential subscribers and others in the marketplace. Mr. Baker has law degree from the University of Utah and a Bachelors of Art degree in Philosophy from Colorado College. He holds a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law from the University of Utah.
Shawn Hughes
CFPP LLC Project Director
Dr. Shawn Hughes is the CFPP LLC Project Director. Dr. Hughes is an accomplished executive with more than 40 years of domestic and international experience in the nuclear project management, engineering, construction and D&D fields. His professional skills have been demonstrated through the successful discharge of diverse project and line management responsibilities involving large EPC projects at a variety of commercial nuclear power and nuclear weapon sites. Core competencies include executive management of complex Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) projects, meeting project technical, cost, schedule, quality, safety, performance and regulatory challenges, recruiting, motivating and leading teams of contractors and the building trades unions, establishing and maintaining successful client relationships, negotiation and administration of labor agreements and other contracts, business development, proposal development and marketing, and commercial nuclear power plant (NPP) operational readiness planning and execution.
Rich Walje
CFPP Senior VP of Business Development
Mr. Rich Walje is the CFPP LLC Senior Vice President of Business Development. Mr. Walje brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Carbon Free Power Project with an extensive background in the industry. He possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and an MBA from the University of Utah, along with a certificate of completion from the University of Michigan's electric utility executive program. His business activities have included development work on renewable energy, electrolytic hydrogen, low carbon intensity fertilizer, renewable natural gas, and long duration energy storage. Prior to his current position, Mr. Walje established his professional skills in a variety of leadership positions, having served as CIO of ScottishPower, Senior Vice President of PacifiCorp's Shared Service business unit, President and CEO of Rocky Mountain Power, and President of the Gateway Transmission Projects.