John “Larry” Raklios

Business Consultant
JL Raklios Consulting LLC

I’m a semi-retired UW grad having worked ~40 years in the nuclear industry with Exxon, Siemens, Areva and TerraPower. Accounting is where I began, but most of my career was spent in project management, financial analysis, and strategic planning. I believe this diverse experience may be of interest and value to business students trying to decide next steps.

I’ve worked with people who were told and believed that they had to choose a particular path in the workplace and stay on that path. Maybe that works for some folks, but I would encourage graduates to find a fit in a company doing good things and then excel in whatever is asked of them while learning as much about the company as possible. Then expand skills to add value in other areas. My first job out of school was as an accounting clerk with Exxon Nuclear (later purchased by Siemens and then Areva). During my 34 years with the company, I was subsequently a cost estimator, financial analyst, project manager, scheduling manager, risk assessment manager, lean champion, and eventually led the team that developed and deployed the company’s strategic plan. After “retiring” and moving to Woodinville to be closer to our kids and grandkids, I performed financial analysis for TerraPower, and within a few years supported business development of new nuclear power generation and medical application technologies. The point is, I ended up doing things that were vastly different than what I was “educated” to do, which was fascinating to me and apparently of some value to the folks I worked with.

Aside from developing a wide range of professional skills and interests, I believe it equally important to be trustworthy (honest and knowledgeable), curious, creative, generous with your time and passionate about the company’s vision, mission and values. Of course, work-life balance should also be a priority. I don’t have all the answers to life’s questions but would gladly share what I’ve learned so far.

Connect with John on LinkedIn

John on mentorship

I may have made some good career decisions out of dumb luck, and I wish someone had been there to help me with those decisions. Maybe I can be that person for a current business student.

Specialty topics

  • Accounting
  • Financial analysis
  • Project management
  • Risk management
  • Lean manufacturing principles
  • Strategic planning and deployment

Favorite book

  • “The Speed of Trust” by Stephen M. R. Covey
  • “Getting the Right Things Done” by Pascal Dennis
  • The Bible.

Fun Fact

I’ve been physically threatened by a counterpart and the manager of a US nuclear power plant. I’ve also been a defense witness in separate lawsuits between Exxon, WPPSS and The First Southern Baptist Church of Three Rivers, Texas. While unsettling at the time, there’s humor to be found in each of these experiences which I can share if there’s interest.

While at TerraPower I was fortunate enough to be able to successfully advocate for the pursuit of a novel cancer treatment, and on a different occasion I witnessed someone foolishly try to explain to Bill Gates how software works. The reaction around the table included shock, embarrassment, and amusement, stifled by professional norms in most cases.

I’ve had the chance to successfully advocate for the volunteer development of a 20-acre sports park and against an overpriced school bond (twice).