NNPICO: Roles, Responsibilities, and Requirements
Learn what the NNPICO role requires, where its authority comes from, and the common pitfalls that undermine NNPI compliance across the defense vendor base.
Read moreTom Ralph
Founding & Managing Director
Thomas V. Ralph, Jr., Esq.
Founder & Managing Director
Leading strategic advisory in nuclear security, policy development, and international collaboration with deep technical expertise and legal acumen.
$100M+ Security & Compliance Portfolio Directed
$80M Control-System Modernization Led
80,000+ Personnel Supported Across Naval & Nuclear Enterprise
About Tom
Tom Ralph is the Founder and Managing Director of FissionPoint Assurance, where he leads strategic advisory services at the intersection of nuclear technology, security policy, export controls, and international partnerships. A seasoned naval officer and national security executive, Tom established FissionPoint after serving as Deputy Director for Security and Intelligence within the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.
Through FissionPoint Assurance, Tom delivers executive-level consultation on nuclear assurance, classified and unclassified information protection, incident investigation, and regulatory readiness. He directs multidisciplinary engagements involving audits, policy reviews, international information-sharing frameworks, and executive communications, supporting government agencies, private industry, and international partners on high-consequence security and compliance matters.
Professional Licenses
Attorney at Law
November 2025 - Present
Bar Admissions
MarylandMassachusetts
Executive Leadership
Co-Chair, U.S. Navy/Energy Representative
Submarine Security & Intelligence Coordination Committee (SUBSICC)
AUKUS • 2024-2025
Co-Chair, U.S. Navy/Energy Representative
Information Knowledge Management Committee
AUKUS • 2024-2025
Memberships & Affiliations
Instutute of Nuclear Materials Management
Member • 2025 - Present
U.S. Naval Institute
Member • 2019 - Present
American Bar Association
Member • 2025 - Present
CUA Law Review
Editorial Board • 2023 - 2025
Education & Academic Credentials
Juris Doctor
The Catholic University of America
Columbus School of Law
Columbus School of Law
Magna Cum Laude
Doctorate
Nuclear Engineering
Bettis Reactor Engineering School (BRES)
Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program
Graduate Certificate
Electrical & Computer Engineering
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
High Distinction | NROTC
Bachelor's
International & Global Studies
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
High Distinction | NROTC
Bachelor's
Areas of Expertise
Nuclear SecurityPolicy DevelopmentInternational CollaborationExport ControlsInformation ProtectionSecurity ComplianceNaval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPI)Systems EngineeringRegulatory ReadinessIncident InvestigationExecutive StrategyInstrumentation & Control
Career Highlights
Founder & Managing Director
FissionPoint Assurance, LLC
Founded and lead FissionPoint Assurance, a specialized consulting firm providing strategic advisory services at the intersection of nuclear technology, security policy, export controls, and international partnerships. Oversee firm operations, client engagement, and business growth strategy supporting government agencies, private industry, and international partners on high-consequence security and compliance matters.
Deputy Director for Security & Intelligence
Naval Reactors | National Nuclear Security Administration
Served as the U.S. lead nuclear security representative for bilateral and trilateral sharing of national nuclear technology with the United Kingdom and Australia, achieving international protection of nuclear information. Led a 20-person team for security operations, programs and policy, and information protection, overseeing restricted data, security compliance, and security operations for a $100M+ Department of Energy laboratory. Provided direct support to the Executive Director and a 4-star Admiral on national intelligence matters impacting the naval nuclear enterprise, including briefs to flag officers and the National Security Council.
Director, Security Programs & Policy
Naval Reactors | Naval Officer
Spearheaded an integrated information protection program for an 80,000-person organization, achieving federal compliance and modernizing outdated Department of Energy and Department of Defense policies. Built a security policy department from the ground up, developing a team of five subject matter experts responsible for executive and international engagements, and federal policy oversight. Established a novel declassification approach, saving the review of 32 million pages and 248 work years while protecting critical nuclear information from unintended release.
Lead Engineer, Nuclear Instrumentation & Control
Naval Reactors | Naval Officer
Led instrumentation and control engineering for the GERALD R. FORD Class, overseeing advanced nuclear systems and directing the creation of an $80 million control system for enhanced efficiency and reliability. Established and managed a $10 million obsolescence review initiative, creating a first-of-its-kind workforce to ensure continuous development and operational sustainability.
Publications & Insights
Nuclear Energy's Crossroads
Nuclear energy is making a global comeback—but public trust, capital, and security depend on rigorous oversight. Explore how compliance, export controls, and disciplined governance turn regulation into resilience and lasting growth.
Read more
A Guide to Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPI)
Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPI) is among the most tightly controlled categories of information. Learn how to identify, protect, and manage NNPI with precision—and maintain compliance while safeguarding national security.
Read moreReady to Work Together?
Let's discuss how FissionPoint Assurance can help your organization navigate complex nuclear security, compliance, and policy challenges.