It’s official: Brian Vance is the sole manager of both the Richland Operations Office and the Office of River Protection at the U.S. Energy Department’s sprawling Hanford Site in Washington state.
The longtime manager and U.S. Navy veteran had filled this dual role in an acting capacity since February. Energy Secretary Rick Perry informed Congress in a letter this week the Hanford assignment is being made permanent.
Preparation to begin vitrification of low-activity radioactive waste by Dec. 31, 2023, at the nearly complete Waste Treatment Plant requires increased cooperation between the two offices, Perry said in the letter. The Richland Office and the Office of River Protection will remain two separate entities for federal budget and planning purposes.
“Appointing a single manager for both Hanford offices establishes the most effective leadership structure for success in managing both RL and ORP during a period of transition and opportunity at the Hanford Site,” Perry wrote.
Vance took over management responsibility for both offices after the retirement of Richland Operations Office Manager Doug Shoop.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to continue to work with each of you as the manager for both offices,” Vance said in a Tuesday email to Hanford employees.
Deputy Managers Joe Franco (Richland) and Ben Harp (ORP) will continue to lead the day-to-day operations of their respective offices, Vance noted in the email.
Vance was named manager of the Office of River Protection in October 2017. He has amassed more than 30 years of leadership experience in the military, private sector, and the federal government. Before coming to the Energy Department in 2017, Vance worked in management positions at Westinghouse Electric for almost three years and at AREVA for four years. Prior to that he spent 25 years in the U.S. Navy as a submarine officer and program manager, along with experience in Department of Defense acquisition programs.
