Last week, the American Nuclear Society and the Nuclear Energy Institute jointly hosted the second annual Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo in Dallas, Texas. NECX serves as both a combination and evolution of ANS's Utility Working Conference and NEI's Nuclear Energy Assembly.

For the second year in a row, NECX brought together utilities, advanced reactor developers, suppliers, regulators, policymakers, investors, engineers, and innovators for a wide range of discussions pertaining to the present and future of the industry.

Among the conference's many highlights was the presentation of two of ANS's most prestigious awards:

• The Dwight D. Eisenhower Medal, which is awarded to an individual in recognition of leadership in public policy for nuclear science and technology or outstanding contributions to the field of nuclear nonproliferation.
• The Walter H. Zinn Medal, which recognizes an individual for remarkable and sustained technical contributions or leadership that has advanced implementation of nuclear technology.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Medal: At NECX 2026, ANS CEO Craig Piercy, ANS President Mark Peters, and ANS immediate past president Hash Hashemian presented International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Medal. Grossi was selected for the award because of his exceptional international leadership in advancing nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation.

Since 2019, when he assumed the office of IAEA director general, Grossi has strengthened global safeguards, upheld the peaceful use of atomic energy, and demonstrated courageous diplomacy during complex global challenges-embodying the principles of international cooperation and responsibility envisioned in President Eisenhower's Atoms for Peace legacy.

"Today, the proposal of Atoms for Peace is more relevant than ever, and the IAEA is the vehicle by which we are making it a reality. Every day on every continent, the IAEA supports nations in overcoming challenges like disease, poverty, hunger, pollution, and climate change by seizing opportunities to improve health care, agriculture, and energy systems through the power of nuclear science and technology," Grossi has previously said, reflecting on the continuing importance of President Eisenhower's famous 1953 speech.

The Walter H. Zinn Medal: Piercy presented Jeff Waksman, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy, and environment, with the Walter H. Zinn Medal. Waksman was selected for the award for his outstanding leadership in implementing advanced nuclear technology, leading the Department of Defense's Project Pele mobile microreactor demonstration, and fostering impactful nuclear supporting legislation.

Throughout NECX 2026, Waksman talked at length about the importance of the ongoing Janus Program. His thoughts were captured in detail last week in another Newswire article: "Five Companies, Five Bases: The Army's Janus Program Takes Shape."