WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Steven Chu today congratulated Dr. Penrose C. Albright on his appointment as the new director of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Albright, who has served in a variety of national security positions during his career, was selected by Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC, which manages the laboratory for DOE, after a rigorous, nationwide selection process.
Beginning Dec. 1, Dr. Albright will serve as the 11th LLNL director and as the President of LLNS, the management and operations contractor responsible for its operations.
“Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is an integral component of our nation’s national security enterprise and one of the Department of Energy’s most vital and distinguished laboratories,” said Secretary Chu. “As we work to accomplish the Department’s unique national security missions and make the critical investments required for the future of American innovation, I know we have an outstanding partner in Dr. Albright.”
Founded in 1952, LLNL’s mission is to ensure national security and to apply science and technology to the important issues of our time. The Laboratory is overseen by DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
“Having known and worked with Dr. Albright, I look forward to a strong and rewarding partnership,” said NNSA Administrator Thomas P. D’Agostino. “As NNSA continues to implement President Obama’s nuclear security agenda and make critical investments in the future of our Nuclear Security Enterprise, I know that Livermore will continue to play an important role in the safety and security of the American people.”
After his introduction by LLNS Chairman Norman Pattiz earlier today, Dr. Albright will replace Dr. George Miller, who announced his retirement in April. Miller became Laboratory director in 2006, under the management of the University of California, and in 2007 he also was named LLNS President when NNSA awarded the contract to manage LLNL to LLNS. As the first president and director under the LLNS contract, Miller guided the Laboratory through transition to a new management system, cutting down on operating costs while seeking ways to improve on the Lab's missions of science in the national interest.
Dr. Albright has more than 25 years experience managing critical national security missions for the American people. Since 2009, Dr. Albright has served as Principal Associate Director for Global Security at LLNL, where was responsible for applying the Lab’s multi-disciplinary science, technology, and engineering to anticipate, innovate and deliver responsive solutions for our nation’s challenges in national and homeland security, energy and the environment, and intelligence.
Prior to joining Lawrence Livermore, Dr. Albright served as Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security from Oct. 2003 through July 2005, and served as Assistant Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President before that. He has also served as President and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Civitas Group, LLC, and has worked for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Institute for Defense Analyses, and the National Research Council.
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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 in the nation’s national security enterprise. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability, and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; reduces the 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.
