Los Alamos picks Nanos for key threat reduction role

Contact: Nancy Ambrosiano, nwa@lanl.gov, (505) 667-0471 (02-092)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Aug. 13, 2002 -- Don Cobb, associate director for Threat Reduction at the U.S. Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory, today announced the selection of Vice Admiral George P. Nanos as principal deputy associate director for the Laboratory's Threat Reduction Directorate.

Nanos comes to the Laboratory from a position as Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command in the U.S. Navy. Prior to that, he commanded the Navy's strategic nuclear program.

"I am very pleased that a leader of the caliber of Pete Nanos has joined the Laboratory," said Laboratory Director John Browne. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in nuclear forces and related matters."

As principal deputy for Threat Reduction, Nanos will share responsibilities with Associate Director Cobb, including supervision of the Directorate's three divisions: Biosciences, Decisions Applications and Nonproliferation and International Security. He will also interact extensively with the sponsors and stakeholders of Threat Reduction, including the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, and the departments of Defense, State and Justice.

"I am really looking forward to having Pete Nanos on board," said Cobb. "Some of our most critical national security issues, especially since Sept. 11, are in Threat Reduction. The need for our work has grown tremendously. Pete's experience and background will be a terrific resource to help in this work, not only for the Laboratory but also for DOE and the nation."

Said Nanos, "During my almost 10 years in the Navy's Strategic Systems Programs, I had a wonderful working relationship with my counterparts at Los Alamos. It is an honor and privilege for me to be joining such a fine organization."

Nanos' naval career began in 1978, and included management of the technical development effort for the Navy's high-energy laser program, especially for field testing and risk-reduction experiments for the mid-infrared chemical laser. He later became deputy director of warfare systems engineering in the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command.

He guided completion of the submarine inertial navigation system to support deployment of the Trident II weapons system, and in 1994 he became Commander, Strategic System Programs. There he was accountable for design, development and performance of the submarine-based strategic missile systems for the United States and United Kingdom. Immediately before joining Los Alamos, he had oversight for the operations of 10 defense laboratory divisions with over 20,000 employees.

Nanos was a Trident Scholar at the U.S. Naval Academy, receiving a bachelor's degree in engineering in 1967. He received a doctorate in physics from Princeton University in 1974.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and national security concerns.

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