Dr. William H. Thesling, Ph.D.

Dr. William H. "Bill" Thesling is a technologist, serial entrepreneur, and the visionary founder of the eGeneration Foundation. As Executive Chairman of this Ohio-based nonprofit, he champions advanced nuclear energy solutions and drives energy education initiatives across the state – all aimed at building a cleaner and more innovative future.

Early Academic Journey

Raised in Ohio, Bill Thesling cultivated a passion for science and technology from a young age. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in electrical engineering before obtaining a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Cleveland State University. During his doctoral research he performed projects for NASA and the Ohio Aerospace Institute, pushing the frontiers of communications and power systems. This blend of rigorous academia and real-world research instilled in him a deep appreciation for innovation that serves practical needs.

Serial Tech Entrepreneur

Armed with his advanced education and research experience, Dr. Thesling embarked on an entrepreneurial career that would span decades. In 1994, he co-founded TS Engineering, a Cleveland-based technology company specializing in industrial control systems. TS Engineering grew rapidly by providing cutting-edge control equipment to industry, and the company was successfully acquired by a private firm in 2001. Not one to rest, in 1998, he co-founded Efficient Channel Coding (ECC) and took on the role of Chief Technology Officer. ECC developed advanced digital communications products and quickly gained recognition for its innovations. In 2005, ECC was acquired by ViaSat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global satellite communications leader. Dr. Thesling transitioned into ViaSat as the Chief Technologist in its Cleveland office, where he continues to spearhead advanced development projects at the cutting edge of telecommunications.

Throughout his career, Dr. Thesling has amassed over twenty patents across diverse fields including telecommunications, industrial controls, and power electronics. He is a longtime member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and remains deeply engaged with the engineering community. Colleagues often note his relentless curiosity and commitment to turning novel ideas into real-world solutions. As Dr. Thesling himself puts it, “innovation is the key to a better future”— a credo that has guided his work from high-tech startups to clean energy initiatives.

Championing Advanced Nuclear Innovation in Ohio

After achieving success in the tech industry, Dr. Thesling turned his focus toward one of the most pressing challenges of our time: clean and sustainable energy. A lifelong Ohioan, he saw an opportunity for his home state to become a leader in the next generation of nuclear technology. He became an early investor in Flibe Energy, a startup developing molten-salt nuclear reactors, and through that experience, he witnessed firsthand the hurdles new nuclear ventures face. Dr. Thesling realized that the obstacles to advanced nuclear innovation were not scientific at all – they were political and regulatory. Determined to make a difference, he founded the eGeneration Foundation in 2012 with the mission of creating an environment where cutting-edge energy technologies can flourish.

As Founder and Executive Chairman of eGeneration, Dr. Thesling works to position Ohio at the forefront of America’s nuclear renaissance. The Foundation promotes advanced nuclear energy solutions, such as next-generation small modular reactors and innovative molten salt reactors, and advocates for policy changes to remove roadblocks in nuclear research and development. Just as importantly, eGeneration is an educational 501(c)(3) charity. Dr. Thesling is passionate about energy education in Ohio, believing that informed communities and a well-trained workforce are key to sustaining technological progress. Through public workshops, partnerships with universities, and outreach to policymakers, he ensures that knowledge and enthusiasm for clean energy innovation spread alongside the technologies themselves.

Under Dr. Thesling’s visionary leadership, eGeneration has helped shine a spotlight on Ohio’s potential to lead in nuclear innovation. He frequently highlights the immense promise of advanced nuclear power: reactors that can safely produce abundant electricity with no carbon emissions, providing both economic growth and environmental benefits for generations to come. By fostering collaboration between engineers, entrepreneurs, educators, and government leaders, Dr. Thesling is turning his vision of an energy future that serves both industry and the environment into a reality. His journey – from NASA research labs and startup boardrooms to the helm of a nonprofit – reflects a lifelong commitment to technological solutions that make the world a better place.