Upon graduating from the University of Maryland-College Park with her BS in Mechanical Engineering Vonna joined the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as a Reactor Engineer in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. Vonna was initially hired through a three year professional developmental program. While in the program she contributed to the NRC’s mission of licensing and regulating the Nation’s civilian use of byproduct, source, and special nuclear materials to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety, promoting security, and protecting the environment.
After successfully completing the developmental program Vonna became the Resident Inspector at the Glen Rose nuclear power plant in Texas. She was one of the first female resident inspectors and the first Hispanic female to serve in this capacity.
In 1995 Vonna was selected to participate in a year-long Women’s Executive Leadership Program through the U.S.D.A. Graduate School. The program is designed to provide management training and development opportunities to high-potential federal employees, and prepare them for future leadership positions. After completing her graduate studies, Vonna returned to NRC Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland where she held a number of progressively more responsible positions in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, as a Reactor Systems Engineer; a Senior Enforcement Coordinator; a Technical Assistant; and the Chief of the Reactor Safeguards Policy Section.
Vonna’s experience and technical background enabled her to rise to the challenge in response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Vonna was tasked with managing NRC’s Event Response Communications Team that responded to numerous reactive Congressional requests and briefings, policy issues and rulemaking changes associated with the security regulations for nuclear power plants including coordination with other federal agencies.
Vonna later led a post 9/11 task force that supported the creation of the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR). With the NSIR she had oversight of vulnerability assessments, consequence analysis for all NRC-licensed facilities including power reactors, decommissioning facilities, fuel cycle facilities, security for power reactors, and advanced reactors.
Subsequently, Vonna was selected for the Senior Executive Service (SES) Candidate Development Program, an 18-month program, which involved executive rotations, leadership training at the Federal Executive Institute, and executive projects. In 2006, she assumed her first SES position as the Director of the Nuclear Security Policy Project Directorate. Vonna currently is the Director of the Division of Spent Fuel Storage and Transportation for the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards of NRC.
Vonna’s distinguished public service career achievements have resulted in her receiving numerous awards including the NRC Meritorious Service Award, the NRC Special Act Awards for her managerial leadership and response to 9/11 terrorist attacks. The “Women Who Make a Difference” award from the Hispanic Engineer Magazine.
Vonna and her husband, have three children. She is active her community through various organizations including the Difference Makers Church and the Damascus Sports Association
with whom she has coached cheerleading squads many years. Vonna also enjoys participating in races and kickboxing activities to support the Relay for Life fundraisers.
