David B Dabney’s worked for 25+ years in international business, including mining, refining, operations management, sales, international business development, acquisitions, and the building of an international specialty materials company. Commencing with The Aluminum Company of America as an engineer at a refinery working in operations engineering and plant management, then moving into sales and marketing and later to an assignment with Alcoa of Australia as International Business Development Manager. He spent considerable time in Europe, involved in international acquisitions for Alcoa, and acted an advisor to the Strategic Development Group as well as managing several Alcoa companies directly in Europe and India. Returning to Australia he worked with Woodside Petroleum in International Business Development on downstream LNG opportunities and applications. In Europe, as CEO of Dadco Australia, he successfully acquired the Stade Refinery, establishing it as a European leader in the production of specialty aluminas. He later worked with Rhone Partners in the acquisition of Almatis, helping it grow from sales of $300 million to over $500 million in less than 2 years, with operations in 13 locations globally, and in the top 10% internationally on EHS records in the industry.
The pivot to nuclear energy emerged from his work in the oil and gas industry in 1998. Convinced climate change was anthropomorphic and hydrocarbons were not a long-term energy solution he founded EcoCarbon, an NGO based in Australia. Working extensively with industry on developing climate change legislation and developing economically feasible solutions to a carbon tax. He read about HTGR technology and in 2008 started the business concept for StarCore. His academic study includes a Bachelors of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University, with additional studies in Materials Science and Physics. He has a Masters in Management Degree from The Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University, made the Deans List, with majors in Finance, International Business and Marketing. He has done additional coursework in HVAC Systems, Hydraulic Dynamics Testing, Organizational Structures, Organizational Behavior, International Project Development, Downstream Energy Development, and Project Accounting.