Fermi, the AI-focused nuclear power company, has named Lee McIntire as its new chief executive, more than three months after the departure of co-founder Toby Neugebauer from the role.
McIntire is already familiar with the company through his work as an independent board member. His background includes senior leadership roles at CH2M Hill and TerraPower, the nuclear energy startup founded by Bill Gates.
The company, co-founded by former U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, is building Project Matador in Amarillo, Texas. The planned AI campus is designed to eventually pair nuclear reactors with data centers, creating a large-scale energy model for next-generation computing.
The leadership change arrives alongside fresh momentum for the business. Fermi recently secured its first binding customer lease for Project Matador with TensorWave, helping lift investor confidence. The company's stock has risen sharply since the announcement.
Board chairman Marius Haas said the next phase will center on construction and reliable power delivery, describing McIntire as the right leader for a complex buildout that demands discipline, timing, and execution. With a new CEO in place, Fermi is moving deeper into the infrastructure stage of its growth. The project could help shape how future AI campuses are powered.
