Return to Article: Los Alamos director steps down
-
9684
Having worked for a Contractor within the DOE complex for 7 years I can speak with some knowledge of what Dr. Nanos was up against. There is a "good old boy/revolving door" relationship between the DOE and the various DOE Contractors that make the DOD revolving door issues pale in comparison. If the GAO ever did a thorough audit of the DOE, and took a look at where their GS 15's and SES's end up after retirement they would find that the vast majority work for a Contractor they had a professional relationship with while they were employed by the DOE. They would also find that few if any worked until retirement age, 55 with 30 years of service. It's strange how SES's and GS-15's get offered early retirements that just happen to coincide with Contractor hiring requirements. To my knowledge this doesn't happen anyplace else in Government to the extent it happens within the DOE
This has driven a culture where a guy like Dr. Nanos with all the good intentions in the world will not succeed because the people around him are all looking toward the future, their future.
Dr Nanos didn't have a chance from the start, the DOE system is way too big for one man to fix and there is way too much money involved for the Contractors or the DOE to change much, everybody wants their part of the pie. Integrity and Ethics, the things he built his Navy career on are little known attributes in the DOE Complex.
And no, I'm not a disgruntled former employee, just a guy with high ethical standards that made a terrible career choice and calls them as I see them.
-
9651
Pete Nanos brought accountability to the hill. He is a product of the Nuclear Navy - that is, he is technically competent and has a no excuses chain-of-command accountability style vs the Los Alamos "culture" of running the place like a college campus. He was exactly what those Coneheads needed, someone that would give them a SWIFT KICK IN THE BUTT instead of covering up for them.
-
9638
Nanos is moving to a post with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
Great job for a guy that could not even protect his lab. Now I really feel safe.
PROMO RIGHT: EVENTS
UPCOMING WEBINARS
NOVEMBER 18
Speed bumps for Teleworking: What are they and how to avoid them?
DECEMBER 3
Achieve Program Success: Unlock the Management Information in Your Data
DECEMBER 10
Practical Transparency: Applying Exchange Networks for Mission Results
PROMO RIGHT: DIRECTORIES
Post a Comment
To post a comment, you must provide a name and a valid e-mail address. Messages must be limited to 400 words. By using this Service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although Government Executive does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.