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Julye 09 Issue - Employee Monthly Magazine A passion for the environment sparks a LANL Star
Patricia Vardaro-Charles was named a 2009 LANL Star for her work with environmental programs at LANSCE. Photo by LeRoy N. Sanchez Patricia Vardaro-Charles’ love for the environment translates readily from her job at the Laboratory as an environmental generalist for the Environmental Protection Division (ENV) to her home life, where she routinely practices pro-environment habits, such as recycling. “I feel passionate about the environment for the obvious reason of needing to lessen our impact for the betterment of future generations, which include my beautiful son,” said Vardaro-Charles. “I find natural processes to be fascinating, and enjoy thinking about and helping to solve problems related to our impact. I believe my job affects the environment in a positive way since environmental laws and regulations and compliance with these laws and regulations center on reducing the Lab’s environmental impact.” Recently, this 12-year Lab veteran was named a 2009 LANL Star for her efforts in leading environmental programs for the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), where she is now deployed. “My Environment, Safety, Heath, and Quality Directorate manager, in conjunction with my home organization group leader, nominated me. I had no idea, and I still am extremely flattered,” said Vardaro-Charles. While deployed at LANSCE, Vardaro-Charles has taken the lead on a compliance project dealing with clean-water requirements, which is something she worked on while in graduate school. “This research is near and dear to my heart,” she said. Vardaro-Charles said she enjoys being deployed because of the diversity of work and the many interactions she gets to experience. She also noted that management in ENV Division views its deployed staff as ambassadors. “I feel this to be absolutely true,” she said. “My peers and I have daily contact with facility and programmatic personnel who need help in meeting environmental requirements. This help might require me to perform field work, provide answers for my customers on how to meet requirements, develop and assist with implementing environmental plans and programs, and help address or suggest alternative approaches to meet compliance problems.” Vardaro-Charles believes her role as an ambassador contributed to being nominated as a LANL Star. She said she hopes this honor will convey her leadership ability to current and future coworkers. And Vardaro-Charles stressed how fortunate she feels to work with “excellent people at an excellent facility.” --Erika L. Martinez Other Headlines
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