John "Ted" Conrad
Senior Consultant
Ted Conrad brings nearly four decades of nuclear industry expertise to Upperform Partners, where he specializes in operational excellence, training program development, and regulatory compliance. His comprehensive experience spans the full spectrum of nuclear plant operations, from hands-on reactor operations to executive-level program management.
Ted's career at Cook Nuclear Plant exemplifies progressive leadership and technical mastery. Beginning as an in-plant operator, he advanced to become a licensed Reactor Operator in the Control Room, gaining invaluable firsthand experience with critical plant operations and safety protocols. This operational foundation became the cornerstone of his expertise in developing robust training and procedural frameworks.
As a procedure writing specialist, Ted revolutionized operational documentation by consolidating multiple writing processes into a unified, plant-wide procedure series—significantly improving consistency and reducing operational risk. His expertise in Human Error Reduction and Root Cause Analysis enabled him to create procedures that not only met regulatory requirements but actively prevented human error in high-stakes environments.
Ted's transition to the Training Department marked a defining phase of his career, where he spent 20 years developing world-class training programs. As a Senior Instructor and supervisor, he managed the INPO-accredited Non-Licensed Operator Training Program and oversaw critical NRC examination processes for both initial licensing and requalification programs. His leadership in standardizing training processes to INPO specifications resulted in measurably improved operator performance and regulatory compliance.
His role as an INPO Accredited Certified Instructor and SRO Certified Instructor demonstrates his commitment to industry-leading standards. Ted's expertise extends beyond his home facility through his work as an INPO Peer Evaluator, where he assessed operations training programs at other nuclear facilities, providing him with unique insights into industry best practices and common challenges.
Ted's participation in the Cook Nuclear Plant Leadership Institute reflects his commitment to continuous improvement and leadership development—qualities he now brings to client engagements at Upperform Partners. His ability to assess training programs both internally and externally positions him uniquely to identify improvement opportunities and implement sustainable solutions.
Since joining Upperform Partners in 2022, Ted has helped clients across the nuclear industry enhance operational safety, improve training effectiveness, and achieve regulatory excellence through proven methodologies developed over his distinguished career.
Professional Qualifications:
INPO Accredited Certified Instructor
SRO Certified Instructor
INPO Peer Evaluator
Licensed Reactor Operator
Human Error Reduction in Procedure Writing
Basic Root Cause Analysis
Cook Nuclear Plant Leadership Institute Graduate