New NNSA deputy administrator for defense programs named

Donald Cook will oversee nuclear weapons program

July 1, 2010—Donald Cook has been confirmed and sworn in as the National Nuclear Security Administration's deputy administrator for defense programs. Cook will oversee the nuclear weapons program for NNSA and will be responsible for ensuring that the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile remains safe, secure and effective without the need for underground testing.

“Dr. Cook brings a tremendous amount of experience to this position as NNSA continues to transform from a Cold War-era nuclear weapons complex into a 21st century nuclear security enterprise,” said NNSA Administrator Thomas D’Agostino. “His background in science, technology, engineering, manufacturing and executive leadership is a tremendous asset in helping to implement President Obama’s nuclear security agenda.”
 
Cook most recently served as managing director and chief executive officer of the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in the United Kingdom from 2006 to 2009. In this capacity, he was accountable for AWE’s performance on the contract with the UK Ministry of Defence. AWE has an annual budget of $1.2 billion and an employee workforce of 5,000 staff.
 
“I am both honored and excited to be a part NNSA’s Defense Programs, while assisting with President Obama’s nuclear security agenda,” said Cook. “I look forward to working with the men and women of NNSA in preserving the safety, security and effectiveness of the nuclear stockpile and to ensuring that our enterprise continues to lead the world in scientific discovery.”

Cook is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Institute of Physics.