J. Clay Sell

J. Clay Sell is CEO of X-energy, a company developing advanced small modular nuclear reactors and fuel. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Clay has worked across the public and private sectors, helping shape energy policy and bring new technologies to market. Before joining X-energy in 2019, he spent nearly a decade as President of Hunt Energy Horizons, the renewable energy subsidiary of Hunt Consolidated, where he focused on the development and commercialization of emerging energy technologies. Earlier, Clay spent 14 years in the U.S. government, culminating in his service as Deputy Secretary of Energy from 2005 to 2008. As the Department of Energy’s Chief Operating Officer, he helped oversee its broad portfolio of energy, science, national security, and nuclear programs and played a significant role in advancing U.S. nuclear energy policy. His government service also included roles in the White House as Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and for Legislative Affairs.

X-energy

X-energy is a leading designer of advanced small modular nuclear reactors and fuel technology developed to establish a new standard in clean, safe, reliable energy. Its Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled reactor and TRISO-X particle fuel expand applications for nuclear technology, with commercial projects across the power grid, industry, and AI infrastructure. Together, X-energy’s technologies are designed to enhance safety, lower costs, shorten construction timelines, and enable scalable deployment compared with conventional nuclear power.