Laboratory Director
Dr. Thom Mason
ORNL’s director, Thom holds a B.Sc. degree from Dalhousie University and a Ph.D. from McMaster University. Prior to becoming director in 2007, he was the Associate Laboratory Director in charge of the Spallation Neutron Source. A native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and now an American citizen, Thom is the youngest inductee into the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Thom also is a fellow of the American Physical Society (APS).
Deputy Director for Science & Technology
Dr. Thomas Zacharia
Thomas is ORNL’s Deputy Director for Science and Technology, overseeing one of the nation’s largest research and development programs. An American citizen, he received a B.S. from India's Karnataka Regional Engineering College, a master's degree from the University of Mississippi and a Ph.D. from Clarkson University. He is a fellow of the American Welding Society.
Director of Strategic Capabilities
Dr. James Roberto
Jim is Director of Strategic Capabilities, leading the development and implementation of scientific and technical recruiting strategies needed to meet the anticipated growth in ORNL’s research activities. He holds a B.S. degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. from Cornell University. Jim is a fellow of AAAS and a former president of the Materials Research Society.
Deputy Director for Laboratory Operations
Jeff Smith
Jeff is Deputy Director of Operations at ORNL, where he has led a $350 million campus modernization project. He also serves as president of the UT-Battelle Development Corporation, an entity established to develop privately constructed facilities at ORNL. Jeff received a degree in ceramic engineering from Ohio State University.
Associate Laboratory Director for Neutron Sciences
Dr. Ian Anderson
Ian, who is Associate Laboratory Director for Neutron Sciences at ORNL, received an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in physics from Birmingham University and B.A. and M.A. degrees in natural sciences from the University of Cambridge, England. He has more than 25 years of research experience in the fields of hydrogen in metals and neutron scattering.
Associate Laboratory Director for Physical Sciences
Dr. Michelle Buchanan
ORNL’s Associate Laboratory Director for Physical Sciences, Michelle earned a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Kansas and a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Wisconsin. The R&D 100 Award recipient is an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee and serves as director of the Center for Molecular Cellular Systems.
Associate Laboratory Director for Energy & Engineering Sciences
Dr. Dana Christensen
Dana is Associate Laboratory Director for Energy and Engineering Sciences. A former Associate Director at Los Alamos National Laboratory, he received the Gold Quality Award of Excellence from the Department of Energy. Dana received a B.S. and a Ph.D. from New Mexico State University and an MBA from the University of New Mexico.
Associate Laboratory director for Biological & Environmental Sciences
Dr. Martin Keller
Martin Keller is Associate Laboratory Director for Biological and Environmental Sciences. Before being named to his current position, Martin was Director of the ORNL Biosciences Division. Previously, Martin held a series of research management positions within Diversa Corporation. Martin received his Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Regensburg, Germany.
Associate Laboratory Director for Computing and Computational Sciences
Dr. Jeffrey Nichols
Jeff serves as Interim Associate Laboratory Director for Computing and Computational Sciences. A theoretical chemist and software developer, he joined ORNL in 2002 as Director of the Computer Science and Mathematics Division. The R&D 100 Award recipient holds B.A. degrees in chemistry and mathematics from Malone College (Canton, Ohio) and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Texas A&M University.
Associate Laboratory director for National Security
Dr. Harvey Gray
Harvey, who holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Vanderbilt University, is Interim Associate Laboratory Director for National Security. He has held a variety of positions in national security, computing, and energy areas since joining ORNL in 1974. Harvey is a director of the Integrated Manufacturing Technology Initiative and serves on the NIST Manufacturing Interoperability Technical Advisory Board.
Associate Laboratory Director for Computing and Computational Sciences
Dr.Ned Sauthoff
A plasma physicist, Ned manages the U.S. Contributions to ITER Project, the U.S. portion of an international partnership aimed at demonstrating the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion energy. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees from MIT and a Ph.D. from Princeton University. Ned is a fellow of AAAS, IEEE and APS.
Director for Communications & External Relation
Billy Stair
Billy is the Laboratory’s Director of Communications and External Relations. He received a bachelor’s degree from Mars Hill College and a master’s degree from Penn State University. Billy previously served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Governor and as Executive Assistant to the President of the University of Tennessee. He is co-author of a textbook, “Government and Politics in Tennessee.”
Director for Partnerships
Tom Ballard
Tom is Director of ORNL Partnerships, with responsibility for intellectual property management, licensing, sponsored research, and partnerships with industry, economic development groups and higher education institutions. He served previously as Vice President for Public and Governmental Relations at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee.
Director for Environment, Safety, Health & Quality
Joe Herndon
Joe, who has some 30 years of experience in R&D, research line management and operations, is ORNL’s Director of Environment, Safety, Health and Quality. He holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Tennessee. Joe is the recipient of numerous technical awards, including an R&D 100 Award for servo manipulator controls.
Director of Nuclear Operations
Kelly Beierschmitt
Kelly is ORNL’s Director of Nuclear Operations and Executive Director of the High Flux Isotope Reactor. He has more than 20 years of experience in nuclear R&D, production and operations management. Kelly holds a B.S. from West Texas A&M University and a Ph.D. from Texas Tech University. He is a registered professional engineer.
Deputy Director of Human Resources
Debbie Stairs
As Director of Human Resources, Debbie Stairs leads the Laboratory’s efforts to attract, develop and retain outstanding, diverse and engaged staff through effective workforce planning and recruiting, staff development, competitive compensation and benefit plans, and proactive staff and labor relations. The western Kentucky native received her doctorate in experimental psychology from the University of Tennessee.
Deputy Director of Facilities & Operations
Herb Debban
As Director of Facilities and Operations, Herb oversees eight divisions providing a variety of support services. Before joining ORNL, he was responsible for facility operations at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Herb earned an engineering degree from the University of North Dakota and an MBA from the University of Washington, Seattle. He is a registered professional engineer.
General Counsel
Nicole Porter
Nicole, the Laboratory’s General Counsel, also serves as Secretary of UT-Battelle and as General Counsel and Secretary for the UT-Battelle Development Corporation. She previously was associated with a Baltimore law firm and with several federal agencies, including the Department of Energy. She graduated from the University of Maryland and the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Chief Financial Officer
Greg Turner
Greg, who serves as Director of Business Services for ORNL, also is Chief Financial Officer for UT-Battelle. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University and an MBA from the University of Idaho. Before coming to Oak Ridge, Greg worked for 25 years in finance and contracting at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Director of Office of Global Initiatives
Michael Rochford
Michael directs the ORNL Office of Global Initiatives. A former FBI investigator, he played a key role in several high-profile espionage cases, including those involving Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen. He received a bachelor’s degree from American University and is the recipient of investigative awards from the Department of Justice and Central Intelligence Agency.
Chief Audit Executive of Audit & Oversight
Scott Branham
Director of Audit and Oversight for the Laboratory, Scott received a B.S. from Concord University and an MBA from Auburn University. He also is a certified public accountant. Before joining ORNL, Scott had served as Chief Audit Officer for Oak Ridge Associated Universities and as an auditor for the Department of Energy’s Office of Inspector General.