WC Monitor
3/13/2015
IN DOE
Erik Olds has been named acting Chief of Staff for the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management. Olds last held the title of Chief of Staff for the DOE Office of River Protection. In EM headquarters, Olds will temporarily fill the vacancy caused by the departure of Colin Jones this week to take a corporate vice president position with CH2M Hill. “Erik is a proven leader with experience in building multi-disciplinary teams that achieve effective results. His expertise in improving organizational and safety culture, program management for technical organizations, and communications will help ensure continued safe and efficient operations of the Environmental Management program,” acting Assistant Secretary of Energy for EM Mark Whitney said in a message to employees.
Christine Gelles, a senior official in the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management was named this week as the acting manager of the new EM Los Alamos Office. Gelles previously held the title of Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Waste Management. DOE is in the midst of the transition of LANL cleanup work to EM from the National Nuclear Security Administration, and is selecting a permanent manager for the office. “Christine has been engaged in the radioactive waste management challenges at Los Alamos and is actively involved in all aspects of transition planning,” EM Acting Assistant Secretary Mark Whitney said in a statement. “Christine’s significant managerial expertise in all aspects of the EM legacy cleanup mission will enable a smooth transition of activities from NNSA to EM oversight.” According to a DOE statement, “Pete Maggiore, who has served as manager for the federal environmental cleanup effort since May 2011, will remain with the National Nuclear Security Administration. The current 22 EM staff positions in Los Alamos will stay with the EM office.”
IN THE INDUSTRY
Several major contractors in the Department of Energy marketplace were among those chosen by the Ethisphere Institute for its 2015 ‘Most Ethical Companies’ list, issued this week. Included on the list were CH2M Hill, Fluor and Parsons Corporation. “The World’s Most Ethical Companies® designation recognizes companies that truly go beyond making statements about doing business ‘ethically’ and translate those words into action. Honorees not only promote ethical business standards and practices internally, they exceed legal compliance minimums and shape future industry standards by introducing best practices today,” the institute said.
