Girrens new chief of Los Alamos Engineering Division

Contact: Jim Danneskiold, jdanneskiold@lanl.gov, (505) 667-1640 (03-111)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Aug. 19, 2003 -- Steven P. Girrens, a mechanical engineer and 24-year Los Alamos National Laboratory veteran, is the new leader of the Laboratory's Engineering Sciences and Applications Division.

Girrens will provide scientific and technical leadership to the 800-person division in developing and sustaining engineering technologies that support the Laboratory's stockpile stewardship mission. He also will oversee engineering facilities at Technical Areas 16 and 21.

"Steve has expertise in engineering and technology development as well as management experience at multiple levels at the Laboratory," said Rich Mah, associate director for Weapons Engineering and Manufacturing. "His combined technical expertise and management experience make him the ideal choice for this position."

During his career at Los Alamos, Girrens has worked in engineering analysis and engineering mechanics. He also has extensive experience in technology development and has coordinated technology transfer and commercialization initiatives. He has 14 years of management experience, including positions as section leader, project leader, assistant program manager and acting deputy division leader. Since 1996, he has served as leader of ESA's Engineering Analysis and Weapon Response groups.

"I am pleased to be selected as ESA division leader and honored with the trust being placed in me to assure that our facilities, tools and work processes are up to the same high standards as our skilled and knowledgeable workforce," Girrens said. "As much as any division in the Laboratory, ESA Division's responsibility is the nation's stockpile.

"But the stockpile will evolve and we will be expected to respond and meet new engineering challenges through our technical competence and leadership, with a dependable, can-do demeanor. ESA Division has outstanding people, and I am enthusiastic about prospects for our future," Girrens added.

Girrens is a registered professional engineer in New Mexico, a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and a member of the University of New Mexico Mechanical Engineering Advisory Council. He holds a doctoral degree from Colorado State University, and master's and bachelor's degrees from Wichita State University, all in mechanical engineering.

"I want to thank Dan Varley for his service as acting division leader," Mah said. "Dan provided direction for the division during its period of transition."

Dan Varley has served as acting ESA division leader since Earle Marie Hanson retired in June. He will continue as deputy division leader in ESA.

Note to news media/editors: Photo available at http://www.lanl.gov/worldview/news/photos/GirrensSteve.JPG online.

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.