Grand Gulf Nuclear Station has added a federal reactor inspector to its roster, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission says.

Blake Rice was most recently an inspector in the NRC’s Region IV office in Arlington, Texas.

Rice began his career at NRC headquarters, doing design certification reviews in the Office of New Reactors. He transferred to the Region IV office in 2008. He holds a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from Kansas State University and a bachelor’s degree in physics from Washburn University.

Rice joins senior resident inspector Richard Smith at the Claiborne County facility. They serve as the NRC’s eyes and ears, conducting inspections and monitoring significant work projects.