New head of Ethics and Audits joins Lab today

Position is responsible for directing both the corporate ethics and internal audits units

Apr. 5, 2010—The Laboratory has chosen Jeanette Young Bennion as its new top manager of ethics and audits. Bennion joins LANL from Shaw Group, Inc., a multibillion dollar global engineering and construction firm.

As head of Ethics and Audits, Bennion is responsible for directing both the corporate ethics and internal audits units. She will report directly to Laboratory Director Michael Anastasio and the LANS Board of Governors.

“I’d like to welcome Jeanette to the Laboratory,” said Anastasio, “with confidence that she’ll apply her considerable experience in promoting strong ethical business practices, providing independent internal audits, managing conflict of interest and employee concerns, and coordinating outside audits. At the same time, I want to express my sincere appreciation to Terry Brendlinger, who is retiring this month. He made great strides in formalizing the Laboratory’s ethics and audit function and making it a high-performing organization.”

Bennion’s past experience includes working on contracts with the U.S. Department of Energy, Savannah River site, WIPP in Carlsbad, and the Idaho National Laboratory. The position at the Laboratory will include close professional relationships with DOE, NNSA, and various external oversight agencies such as the General Accountability Office, and the DOE Inspector General.

“I’ve always been fascinated with the work performed across the NNSA nuclear security enterprise, especially at Los Alamos. I am looking forward to bringing a fresh perspective to ethics and audit and creating a working environment that rewards innovation and teamwork,” said Bennion, who begins today.

Bennion is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Master of Business Administration from Golden Gate University.