John R. Tappert joined the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 1991 as a Reactor Engineer in Region I. He was selected to be the resident inspector at Fitzpatrick before transferring to headquarters where he held progressively more responsible positions including several section and branch chief positions in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation and Office of New Reactors (NRO). Since joining the Senior Executive Service in 2008, Mr. Tappert has served in several senior management positions, including Deputy Director, Division of Construction Inspection and Operational Programs, NRO; Chief of Staff for Commissioner Ostendoff; Director, Division of Engineering, NRO; Director, Division of Decommissioning, Uranium Recovery, and Waste Programs, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS); and as the Director, Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support, NMSS. Most recently, he serves as Director, Division of Risk Analysis, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research.

Prior to joining the NRC, Mr. Tappert served in the U.S. Navy's nuclear power program. Mr. Tappert received a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace and Ocean Engineering from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He also holds a Professional Engineer’s license.