Dale E. Klein served as the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from July 1, 2006, until May 13, 2009. A native of Missouri, Klein holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a doctorate in nuclear engineering, all from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

 

Klein has spent the bulk of his academic career at the University of Texas at Austin, first as a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (Nuclear Program). He also served as director of the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory, deputy director of the Center for Energy Studies, associate dean for research and administration in the College of Engineering and chairman and executive director of the Amarillo National Research Center, during which time he oversaw more than $45 million of funding concerning plutonium research and nuclear weapon dismantlement issues.

In addition, Klein served as the vice-chancellor for special engineering programs at the University of Texas System

 

Klein joined the Bush administration in November 2001 as the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs. In this position, he served as the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology for all policy and planning matters related to nuclear weapons and nuclear, chemical and biological defense.

 

Klein has published more than 100 technical papers and reports and co-edited one book.