Dr. Matt Napoli, ’04, was recently confirmed by the U.S. Senate as deputy administrator for defense nuclear nonproliferation for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). As NNSA’s deputy administrator for defense nuclear nonproliferation, Napoli will set strategic direction for the administration’s multifaceted efforts to prevent proliferation, reduce the global threat of nuclear and radiological terrorism, and support arms control monitoring and verification.
A Monroe native, Napoli graduated from Louisiana Tech in 2004 with a degree in mechanical engineering and remains involved with the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association. Napoli earned his master’s in mechanical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Ph.D. from the George Washington University in public policy and administration with a concentration in science and technology policy. Napoli is a graduate of the Bettis Reactor Engineering School, a graduate-level school administered by U.S. government on classified military applications of nuclear energy. He also completed a fellowship with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Seminar XXI program on foreign policy and national security.
In celebrating Napoli’s achievement, Dr. Heath Tims, CEO of the Louisiana Tech University Alumni Association and associate vice president of university engagement, said, “Congratulations to Dr. Napoli on this career milestone and for his dedication to selfless service. Matt is an avid Tech supporter and a prime example of what it means to live our calling to ever loyal be.”
Before joining the NNSA, he was named the executive director of foreign and public affairs at Naval Reactors in 2017. He previously served as the foreign policy advisor to the director of Naval Reactors, a four-star Admiral, as well as a lead technical advisor to the deputy director of Naval Reactors. His responsibilities included maintaining oversight of government-to-government military nuclear agreements and managing U.S. nuclear-powered warship port entry policy to over 150 ports in over 50 countries. He served as the Naval Reactors representative to the National Security Council, U.S. Interagency, and Intelligence Community on nuclear policy matters, overseeing all public affairs activities for the Program, and was a lead spokesman for Naval Reactors.
Prior to this service, Napoli was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy in 2004, where he served as the lead nuclear components engineer for the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, also known as Naval Reactors. At the end of his Navy service, he was selected to remain as a federal civilian at Naval Reactors, a joint Department of Navy and Department of Energy organization.
“Dr. Matt Napoli’s career demonstrates how a strong foundation in engineering can lead to meaningful impact on global security and nuclear policy. His leadership in nonproliferation reflects the technical excellence, critical thinking, and service-minded innovation we strive to develop at Louisiana Tech,” said Dr. Collin Wick, dean of the College of Engineering and Science. “We’re proud of his achievements and the vital role he plays in advancing national and international security.”
Napoli is a lifetime member on the Council on Foreign Relations. He received two Department of Navy superior public service awards for his work as a chief architect in the creation of the Australia, United Kingdom, and United States enhanced trilateral security partnership known as “AUKUS” and separately for his work with the Government of Japan.
Additionally, he received two awards from the Secretary of Energy for his work with the United Kingdom and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He has been recognized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and, during his active-duty service, received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.