Our Leadership | National Nuclear Security Administration

Neile L. Miller

Neile L. Miller is the Principal Deputy Administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).  Her nomination by President Obama was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 5, 2010.As Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer, she focuses on matters of management and policy across the NNSA enterprise to define a coherent vision for achieving the President’s nuclear security agenda. 

Dr. Donald L. Cook

Dr. Donald L. Cook serves as the Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs at the National Nuclear Security Administration. Appointed to the position by President Barack Obama, Dr. Cook was sworn in as NNSA’s 5th Deputy Administrator in June 2010. He is responsible for managing the U.S. nuclear security enterprise of laboratories and manufacturing facilities. One of the primary missions of NNSA is to maintain and enhance the safety, security and reliability of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile. NNSA, through its Office of Defense Programs, ensures that the U.S. nuclear arsenal meets the country’s national security requirements and continues to serve its essential deterrence role.

Admiral Kirkland H. Donald

Originally from Norlina, N.C., Admiral Kirkland Donald graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1975 with a bachelor of science in ocean engineering. He also holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and is a graduate of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive Fellows Program.

After completing his initial nuclear power and submarine training, he served in USS Batfish (SSN 681), USS Mariano G. Vallejo (SSBN 658), and USS Seahorse (SSN 669).

Joseph J. Krol Jr.

Joseph J. Krol, Rear Admiral, United States Navy (Retired), is the Associate Administrator for NNSA's Office of Emergency Operations. In this role, he is the Director of the Office of Emergency Operations, which is responsible for emergency management policy and execution of emergency management support across the Department of Energy's complex. Within the National Nuclear Security Administration, he also is responsible for emergency operations, involving nuclear, and radiological emergencies, both within the United States and abroad.

Bruce Diamond

Bruce Diamond became the General Counsel for the NNSA in February, 2011.  Before that, Bruce was DOE Assistant General Counsel for Environment, the senior career environmental attorney for the Department dealing principally with complex issues regarding the clean-up of the nuclear complex and implementation of National Environmental Policy Act obligations.  In addition, he was responsible for addressing health and safety issues.

Dr. Steven Aoki

Steven Aoki is the Associate Administrator and Deputy Under Secretary for Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation.  In this position, Dr. Aoki is responsible for coordinating counterterrorism policy throughout the U.S. Department of Energy. He reports to Thomas D’Agostino, Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration. Much of the focus of the department’s counterterrorism efforts centers on the nuclear security enterprise, but also cuts across many organizations in the DOE.

Don Nichols

Don Nichols advises the Administrator in matters relating to nuclear facility and nuclear explosive operations, advises other senior officials on associated policy matters, and assists NNSA field and program elements with identifying and resolving nuclear safety issues as requested. He is responsible for assuring that issues concerning nuclear safety are identified and resolved.