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WM SYMPOSIA INC

TEMPE, AZ · EIN 860709487 · Form 990 · FY2021 · Medium ($1M-$10M) · www.wmsym.org
revenue
$3.7M
expenses
$2.9M
net assets
$3.7M
employees
4
volunteers
25
program ratio
85%
mission · from form 990

DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE NUCLEAR ENVIRONMENT.

profile · synthesized from sources

WM Symposia Inc. is a nonprofit organization that hosts an annual international conference focused on radioactive waste management and related topics. It provides a forum for information exchange, technical excellence, and education, aiming to prepare the next generation of nuclear waste professionals. The organization also supports STEM education through grants and programs.

named programs · 5 · from sources

what they call their work

Annual Waste Management (WM) Symposia International Conference
An international conference providing an open forum for discussing and seeking solutions to the management and disposition of radioactive wastes and decommissioning of nuclear facilities.
Education Assistance
Provides educational assistance to support the development of the next generation of nuclear waste professionals.
Roy G. Post Foundation Scholarships
Provides scholarships to students pursuing degrees related to the nuclear life cycle to develop careers in the safe management of nuclear materials.
WM STEM Educators’ Council
Supports educators in preparing students for careers in the nuclear industry by providing networking, best practices, and resources.
WM STEM Program
Initiative to promote STEM disciplines in the nuclear industry, including paper sessions, panel discussions, STEM Zone at the conference, grants to underserved schools, and teacher resources.
activities · 2 clusters

what they do

  • STEM-Focused Educational Field Trips 3 activities
    • Provide STEM Education and Scholarships
      The organization operates a STEM program at its annual conference, which includes paper sessions, interactive panel discussions, and a STEM Zone. It has provided over $2.5 million in scholarships to more than 450 students pursuing degrees related to the nuclear life cycle and reached over 5,000 students through STEM kits, STEM program grants, and teacher workshops.
    • STEM Education and Scholarships
      The organization operates a STEM program at its annual conference, including paper sessions, interactive panel discussions, and a STEM Zone. It has provided over $2.5 million in scholarships to more than 450 students pursuing nuclear-related degrees and reached over 5,000 students through STEM kits, grants, and teacher workshops.
    • STEM Program and Scholarships
      The organization operates a STEM program at its annual conference, including paper sessions, interactive panel discussions, and a STEM Zone. It has provided over $2.5 million in scholarships to more than 450 students pursuing degrees related to the nuclear life cycle and reached over 5,000 students through STEM kits, grants, and teacher workshops.
  • Uncategorized 13 activities
    • Annual Waste Management Symposia
      Holds an annual international conference focused on radioactive waste management, decommissioning, packaging and transportation, facility siting, and site remediation, with technical presentations, panel sessions, and an exhibit hall showcasing industry innovations. Upcoming conferences are scheduled through 2029.
    • Industry Networking and Knowledge Exchange
      Facilitates networking among over 2,500 industry specialists and managers from more than 900 companies and 30 countries through topical networking sessions, technical sessions, and access to subject-matter experts and best practices.
    • Offer Professional Development and Training
      WM Symposia offers Sunday training workshops and technical sessions at its conferences, allowing attendees to earn professional development hours and Continuing Education Units. It also provides networking opportunities, best practice sharing, and access to resources for members of its Educators' Council.
    • Organize Annual International Conference on Radioactive Waste Management
      WM Symposia organizes an annual international conference focused on radioactive waste management, disposal, decommissioning, packaging and transportation, facility siting, and site remediation. This conference includes technical presentations, panel sessions, an exhibit hall, and networking opportunities for over 2,500 industry specialists and managers from more than 900 companies and over 30 countries.
    • Organize Annual International Conference on Radioactive Waste Management
      WM Symposia organizes an annual international conference focused on radioactive waste management, disposal, decommissioning, packaging and transportation, facility siting, and site remediation. This conference includes technical presentations, panel sessions, an exhibit hall, and networking opportunities for industry specialists and managers from over 30 countries.
    • Organize Annual International Conference on Radioactive Waste Management
      WM Symposia organizes an annual international conference focused on radioactive waste management, disposal, decommissioning, packaging and transportation, facility siting, and site remediation. This conference includes technical presentations, panel sessions, an exhibit hall, and networking opportunities for industry specialists.
    • Professional Development and Training
      WM Symposia offers Sunday training workshops and technical sessions at its conferences, allowing attendees to earn professional development hours and Continuing Education Units. It also provides networking opportunities, best practice sharing, and access to resources for members of its Educators' Council.
    • Professional Development and Training Workshops
      Offers Sunday training workshops and technical sessions enabling attendees to earn professional development hours and Continuing Education Units, supporting capacity building in the radioactive waste management field.
    • Program and Development Meetings
      Hosts periodic WM Program and Development Meetings, such as one scheduled for September 20–22, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
    • STEM Education and Outreach Program
      Runs a STEM program at its annual conference featuring paper sessions, panel discussions, a STEM Zone, and outreach initiatives including STEM kits, grants, and teacher workshops that have reached over 5,000 students.
    • Student Scholarship Program
      Provides scholarships to students pursuing degrees related to the nuclear life cycle, having awarded over $2.5 million to more than 450 students.
    • Technical Knowledge Sharing Platform
      Provides technical presentations and panel sessions on technology development, project accomplishments, and lessons learned from high-profile radioactive waste management projects.
    • Technology and Innovation Exhibit Program
      Hosts an exhibit hall featuring products and services from leading companies, including structured product demonstrations focused on technology and innovation in waste management.
financials · form 990 · fy2021

the money

revenue
Total revenue$3.74M
Contributions & grants$436K12%
Program service revenue$3.10M83%
Investment income$68K2%
Other revenue$136K
expenses
Total expenses$2.91M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$818K
Grants paid out$140K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.84M
Cash$2.62M
Investments$1.07M
Liabilities$98K
Net assets$3.74M
Liquid reserves15.3 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +240.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
GARY BENDA DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR 10 $142K
PAT RECKERS CFO 10 $91K
board members · 20
  • ANGIE JONES — DIRECTOR
  • BILLY MORRISON — DIRECTOR
  • BOB COCHRAN — DIRECTOR
  • FRED E SHEIL — DIRECTOR
  • GEORGE DIALS — DIRECTOR
  • GREG MEYER — DIRECTOR
  • HEATHERLY DUKES — DIRECTOR
  • JAMES FIORE — PRESIDENT
  • JAMES GALLAGHER — CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
  • JOHN LONGENECKER — DIRECTOR
  • JOHN MATHIESON — SECRETARY
  • KAZUHIRO SUZUKI — DIRECTOR
  • KURT GERDES — DIRECTOR
  • LARRY CAMPER — DIRECTOR
  • LINDA KOBEL — DIRECTOR
  • LOONG YONG — TREASURER
  • OLAF OLDIGES — DIRECTOR
  • ROBERT WEILER — DIRECTOR
  • SANDRA FAIRCHILD — DIRECTOR
  • SUSAN STIGER — DIRECTOR
relationships · 26

who they work with

  • AECL Partner — Craig Michaluk, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with AECL, Canada.
  • Amentum Partner — Sandra Fairchild and Eric Knox, members of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, are affiliated with Amentum.
  • BWX Technologies Funder — Contributor to the Longenecker Challenge.
  • Backward Spyglass LLC Partner — Robert Weiler, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with Backward Spyglass LLC.
  • Bechtel Partner — Susan Stiger, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with Bechtel.
  • Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Partner — Kapila Fernando, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Canada.
  • Fluor Funder — Contributor to the Longenecker Challenge.
  • Fluor Funder — Provided initial funding of $10,000 to set up the WM STEM Educators’ Council.
  • Fluor Partner — Greg Meyer, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with Fluor.
  • Gary Benda Partner — PAC Chair
  • John and Bonnie Longenecker Funder — Pledged to contribute $250,000 over 10 years to the scholarship program through the Longenecker Challenge.
  • Longenecker & Associates Funder — Longtime and generous sponsor of the Roy G. Post Foundation and contributor to the Longenecker Challenge.
  • Longenecker & Associates, Inc. A Geosyntec Company Partner — John Longenecker, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with Longenecker & Associates, Inc. A Geosyntec Company.
  • Los Alamos Technical Associates Partner — Linda Kobel, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with Los Alamos Technical Associates.
  • N3B Los Alamos Funder — Contributor to the Longenecker Challenge.
  • Nuclear Waste Services Partner — John Corderoy, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with Nuclear Waste Services, United Kingdom.
  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory Partner — Dr. Balendra Sutharshan, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
  • Riemke Professional Solutions, Inc. Partner — Cathy Hickey, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with Riemke Professional Solutions, Inc.
  • Roane State Community College Partner — Dr. Chris Whaley, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with Roane State Community College.
  • Roy G. Post Foundation Partner — Non-profit organization formed by students, peers, and protégés of Roy G. Post to provide scholarships and connect students with the nuclear industry.
  • Spectra Tech, Inc. Partner — Loong Yong, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with Spectra Tech, Inc.
  • TG Consulting Inc. Partner — Kazuhiro Suzuki, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with TG Consulting Inc., Japan.
  • Tech2 Solutions Funder — Contributor to the Longenecker Challenge.
  • UKNNL Partner — Anthony Banford, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with UKNNL.
  • US DOE Government — Kristen Ellis, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, serves as WM/US DOE Liaison.
  • Westinghouse Government Services Partner — Bob Cochran, a member of the WM Symposia Board of Directors, is affiliated with Westinghouse Government Services.