Labortory's Carol Smith to receive 2001 New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award

Contact: Steve Sandoval, steves@lanl.gov, (505) 665-9206

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., April 26, 2001 -- Carol Smith of the Department of Energy’s Los Alamos National Laboratory has been chosen to receive a 2001 New Mexico Distinguished Public Service award.

Smith works in Los Alamos’ Materials Management Group. She was chosen to receive the award in the federal agencies and national laboratories category.

Smith has been instrumental in the success of Los Alamos’ Bridge to Employment program, which provides on-the-job training and experience for people who have been receiving public assistance.

The program has been so successful that several other Laboratory organizations now are participating in the Bridge to Employment program, the nomination stated.

"I am quite honored to have been nominated and to receive this award," said Smith. "There are many people at Los Alamos who have worked hard to ensure the success of our Bridge to Employment program and I share this award with them."

Smith manages a 120-employee warehouse, a gas plant, the Laboratory’s mail services team, the compliance operations of the packaging and transportation of hazardous and radioactive waste and the movement of special nuclear materials at the Laboratory.

In addition to the Bridge to Employment program, Smith was lauded for her work in local communities, including working with Santa Clara and Pojoaque pueblos in developing childcare options at the pueblos; her insight and sensitivity to issues involvement the improvement of business relationships for minority businesses; and for speaking and promoting the Bridge to Employment program to service organizations.

Smith joins former Laboratory Director Sig Hecker, Government Relations Office Director Karl Braithwaite, former Education Programs Office manager Dennis Gill and Teresa Trujillo of Los Alamos’ Business Operations Division as Laboratory recipients of a New Mexico Distinguished Public Service award.

Winners of the 32nd New Mexico Distinguished Public Service awards will be recognized at a reception and dinner May 18 in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Albuquerque. At the banquet, Gov. Gary Johnson will present the recipients with a plaque and silver lapel pin.

Since the award program’s inception in 1969, more than 300 New Mexicans have been recognized for service to the state in one of four categories: federal agencies and national laboratories; state agencies and universities; local and Indian governments; and business and civic organizations.

Smith came to the Laboratory in 1981 in the former Materials Management Division. She has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish literature from Wayne State University.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

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Editors Note: A photo of Carol Smith is available upon request.

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