The BlueDragon Team
Rob De La Espriella
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
For over four decades, Rob has dedicated his career to fortifying national security, safeguarding our nation’s critical infrastructure, and elevating industry standards. As a Navy nuclear submarine officer, decorated Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspector, and nuclear site quality and security manager, Rob has navigated the world’s most high-stakes environments. His industry-leading expertise in root cause analysis (RCA) stems from his participation on a Deming Prize winning team and decades leading audits, assessments, and RCAs across commercial nuclear plants, the nuclear weapons complex, and the Department of Defense—establishing him as a complex problem-solving thought leader in modern high-tech environments, with insights published in Forbes and peer-reviewed publications. Recognizing that regulated industries still rely on outdated 1920s-1970s RCA tools that were never designed for today’s complexities, Rob pioneered BlueDragon, the world’s most advanced RCA system. By fusing critical thinking, systems theory, behavioral analysis, lean concepts, and high-reliability principles, BlueDragon transforms how organizations tackle costly, recurring human and organizational performance failures.
Thomas A. Summers
Executive Advisor – Departments of War and Energy
The Honorable Thomas A. Summers is the former Acting Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB). The DNFSB provides safety analysis, advice, and recommendations to the Secretary of Energy and maintains independent safety oversight of the nation’s defense nuclear complex, including the Y-12 National Security Complex, Pantex Plant, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Savannah River Site, Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, and the Hanford Site, among others. He was twice appointed by the President to the Board and confirmed by the Senate. Mr. Summers previously served as Senior DOE Advisor (SES) and as the Deputy for Research, Development, Test, & Evaluation in the office of Defense Programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration in the Department of Energy. Mr. Summers is also a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with over three decades of active duty in a variety of command, teaching, military staff, and scientific positions. He earned a B.S. from Saint Vincent College, PA, in Physics and Mathematics and four M.S. degrees: Applied Physics from the Air Force Institute of Technology, OH; Administration from Central Michigan University, MI; Military Operational Art and Science from Air Command and Staff College, AL; and National Security Strategy from the National War College, DC.
Luis A. Reyes
Executive Advisor – Nuclear Energy
Mr. Reyes is the former Executive Director for Operations at the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC), the United States’ top Federal Government nuclear safety regulatory agency. He has over 40 years of experience in the nuclear power industry. While at the USNRC, he was an expert consultant to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the areas of reactor construction and operations. Mr. Reyes has chaired many nuclear energy related boards, such as the Duke Energy Nuclear Safety Review Board and Southern Co.’s Vogtle Construction Review Board. Mr. Reyes is a past member of the USA Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) Training and Accreditation Board, First Energy Co.’s Board of Directors, and the Japan Nuclear Safety Institute (JANSI) International Advisory Committee. Mr. Reyes is a member of the NuScale Power Technical Advisory Board. His contributions to this effort have been instrumental in NuScale obtaining the first small modular reactor design certification in the USA.
Brian K. Dunn, P.E.
Executive Advisor – Nuclear Energy
Mr. Dunn is a seasoned engineering executive with over 40 years of experience in the nuclear energy sector, specializing in design engineering, project management, and strategic organizational leadership. He has a proven track record of managing complex, high-value projects, leading major plant upgrades, and driving industry-wide initiatives that enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency. His expertise spans engineering governance, regulatory compliance, technical problem-solving, and team development, making him a respected leader in the field. A licensed Professional Engineer in Florida, Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University. He has completed extensive postgraduate studies in nuclear technology and holds certifications as a Senior Reactor Operator, Nuclear Recovery Manager, and Plant Engineer.
William J. (Bill) Toth, PhD
Senior DOE Advisor
Bill is the former Manager of the Project, Program Management Office for International Nuclear Nonproliferation programs. Bill and Rob are collaborating on programs that will help sites important to national security with the proactive identification and mitigation of external threats to these most secure facilities.
LCDR Chad Blankenship (US Navy, Retired)
Senior Advisor - Department of War
Chad Blankenship is a retired U.S. Navy nuclear professional and certified BlueDragon BD2 Practitioner. With over 27 years of hands-on experience in nuclear operations, quality assurance, maintenance management, and high-reliability training, Chad brings a rare combination of operational credibility and investigative precision to every engagement. As the former Director and instructor for the Navy’s Advanced Reactor Plant Manager Course, he has trained personnel to serve on some of the Navy’s most complex and demanding platforms. Chad serves as a consultant, facilitator and assistant instructor for BlueDragon.
Elizabeth F. Dunn, P.E.
Senior DOE Advisor
Ms. Elizabeth (Betsy) Dunn is a results-oriented, hands-on professional, adept at solving complex problems, evaluating risks, and implementing solutions. Ms. Dunn spent nearly 20 years at Argonne National Laboratory, working in a variety of roles, including: Director of environment, safety, and health (ESH), project management, nuclear operations, facilities management, and quality assurance.
Jessica Ventura, PhD
Senior Advisor - Academia
Dr. Ventura is an engineering professor at Endicott College in Beverly, MA. She brought the BlueDragon entry-level course to Endicott to provide undergraduates with a practical and hands-on approach to critical thinking and problem-solving.
Scott English, M.Ed., PMP
Project Manager & BlueDragon Instructor
Maj. Scott English retired from the Air Force after 27 years of service. He is PMP certified and is the Project Manager for our government contracts. Scott has a Masters in Education and is one of several qualified BlueDragon instructors.