ROCKVILLE, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC, a leading developer of advanced small modular nuclear reactors and fuel technology for clean energy generation, today announced the appointment of Dr. Benjamin T. Reinke to Vice President of Global Business Development. In this new role, Dr. Reinke will develop strategic business partnerships to drive the Company’s growth and deployment of its advanced small modular reactor technology.
“Ben is an extraordinarily talented leader who will continue to help put X-energy in the best position to deliver our technology to meet the needs of the global clean energy market,” said X-energy CEO J. Clay Sell. “Since joining our company, Ben has guided and refined the development of our corporate strategy and has been integral to building some of our most important business relationships to date. His track record of success will continue to be a major asset as we scale up our business development organization and seek to further accelerate our growth in the global reactor market.”
Dr. Reinke joined X-energy in 2021 as the Senior Director of Corporate Strategy and Advisor to the CEO, where he has led long-term strategic planning for the Company, integrating key functions, including business planning, partnership development, and corporate communications. He also supported X-energy’s capital raise planning, government engagements, and strategic supplier relationships.
Prior to joining X-energy, Dr. Reinke led the U.S. Department of Energy’s (“DOE”) Office of Strategic Planning and Policy. As policy advisor to then-Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, he spearheaded the department’s priority initiatives and led an interdisciplinary team of experts and scientists in developing long-term strategies for clean energy deployment and organizational change. Prior to his DOE assignment, he served as professional staff on the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, where he led departmental oversight and development of law spanning a range of energy issues, including advanced reactor deployment, uranium enrichment, nuclear proliferation, and programs to support U.S. competitiveness. He first joined the Committee’s staff as the 2016 American Nuclear Society Glenn T. Seaborg Congressional Fellow.
Dr. Reinke holds doctorate and master’s degrees in nuclear engineering, as well a bachelor’s degree in physics and French from The Ohio State University, where he was a NASA Space Technology Research Fellow and a Nuclear Regulatory Commission Fellow.
As previously announced on December 6, 2022, X-energy entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Ares Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: AAC) (“AAC”), a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company. Upon the closing of the transaction, which is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2023, the combined company will be named X-Energy, Inc. and its common equity securities and warrants are expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by AAC’s shareholders, the Registration Statement being declared effective by the SEC, and other customary closing conditions.
About X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC
X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC, is a leading developer of advanced small modular nuclear reactors and fuel technology for clean energy generation that is redefining the nuclear energy industry through its development of safer and more efficient advanced small modular nuclear reactors and proprietary fuel to deliver reliable, zero-carbon and affordable energy to people around the world. X-energy’s simplified, modular, and intrinsically safe SMR design expands applications and markets for deployment of nuclear technology and drives enhanced safety, lower cost and faster construction timelines when compared with other SMRs and conventional nuclear. For more information, visit X-energy.com or connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn.
About Ares Acquisition Corporation
AAC is a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) affiliated with Ares Management Corporation, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination. AAC is seeking to pursue an initial business combination target in any industry or sector in North America, Europe or Asia. For more information about AAC, please visit www.aresacquisitioncorporation.com
