Triad National Security LLC, which includes The Texas A&M University System, has received official notice to proceed toward managing the Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
The National Nuclear Security Administration notified Triad on July 9 to begin the four-month transition.
“This is a significant milestone in the history of Texas A&M’s commitment to public service,” John Sharp, Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, said in announcing the start of the transition of the Los Alamos National Laboratory from the current management team to Triad, which includes the Texas A&M System, the University of California and the Battelle Memorial Institute.
“Los Alamos is one of the most important nuclear security assets in the world. We are committed to working with our partners to enhance safety and security at the lab while advancing its world-class science and executing its vital missions,” Sharp added. “Obviously, this is a huge affirmation of the nationally recognized quality of research, teaching and national service at Texas A&M.”
The Texas A&M System brings to the Triad team expertise in nuclear engineering, criticality safety and workforce development, all of which are important to the future of the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Triad will assume management and operational responsibility for the laboratory when the transition period ends Nov. 1.
Dr. Thomas Mason will serve as president of Triad and director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Mason brings extensive national lab management experience to the position, having served for more than a decade as the director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. Most recently, Mason was senior vice president for Global Laboratory Operations at Battelle.
“It is a tremendous honor to be selected as director-designate of one of the world’s leading scientific institutions, which is working at the forefront of science to solve complex nuclear security and energy challenges,” Mason said.