WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Administrator Thomas D’Agostino today presented the 2011 Linton F. Brooks Medal for Dedication to Public Service to David Young, NNSA’s Deputy Exercise Program Manager in the Office of Emergency Response.
Established in 2008, the Brooks Award recognizes newer employees whose actions and deeds exemplify the spirit of public service commitment.
As a leader of the Nuclear Incident Team at NNSA, Young successfully coordinated the activities of deployed NNSA response teams during 125 Preventative Radiological/Nuclear Detection missions including 48 real-world responses to international, federal, state and local requests for assistance. He is specifically acknowledged for providing exemplary leadership and technical acumen during the response to the emergency at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants. His efforts have had an immeasurable impact on the overall success of NNSA’s nuclear counterterrorism mission.
Young was honored during a ceremony today at NNSA headquarters. In remarks prepared for delivery, D’Agostino said the best part of his job is having the opportunity to highlight the great work done across the nuclear security enterprise.
“The men and women working throughout the Nuclear Security Enterprise are at the cutting edge of science and technology, working day and night to keep the American people safe and secure,” said D’Agostino. “I was extremely impressed by the drive and commitment Dave has shown in conducting his responsibilities more efficiently for the overall good of the entire NNSA.”
Young graduated with a bachelor of science degree in nuclear engineering from the University of California, Berkeley in 2005. Immediately after graduation, he joined NNSA through the inaugural class of the Future Leaders Program. Since joining NNSA’s Office of Emergency Response in 2007, Young has had a variety of responsibilities and accomplishments. His knowledge of the emergency response assets and the Office of Emergency Response operational procedures has resulted in the successful management of all operations, exercises, and drills in which he has been involved.
As part of the Operations and Exercise Program, Young was a key member of the planning teams responsible for the successful planning, execution, and evaluation of the DOE/NNSA-led national level exercises Diablo Bravo 2008 and Empire 2009, in addition to the numerous recurring interagency national level exercises, such as Marble Challenges, Nuclear Weapons Accident-Incident Exercises, and the DHS-coordinated National Level Exercises.
He is originally from Oakland, Calif. and currently lives with his wife, Christy, in Vienna, Va.
Nominees for the Linton Brooks Medal for Public Service must be NNSA employees, with fewer than five years of civilian federal service and fewer than five years of professional experience, whose work achievements demonstrate an exceptional commitment to public service excellence.
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Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.
