LANL's Torres is NNSA Security Professional of the Year

LOS ALAMOS, New Mexico, March 8, 2011—Bartolo “Bart” Torres of Los Alamos National Laboratory's Associate Directorate for Safeguards and Security is the 2010 National Nuclear Security Administration Security Professional of the Year.

“I’m pleased to be named the 2010 contractor Security Professional of the Year,” Torres said. “Receiving this award is an honor, and really something that must be shared with all of the LANL and NNSA personnel that helped me succeed.”

“Bart is the consummate security professional, and we’re fortunate to have someone with his expertise and knowledge of security principles and security management here at Los Alamos,” said Associate Director for Safeguards and Security Mike Lansing. “He is most deserving of this recognition from NNSA.”

“As we work to invest in the future of our enterprise, encouraging and rewarding the best security practices is an important part of our effort to improve the way we do business,” said Brad Peterson, NNSA’s chief and associate administrator for Defense Nuclear Security. “By dedicating themselves to protecting some of the country’s most vital strategic assets, our security professionals help to advance U.S. national security goals and implement the president’s nuclear security agenda.”

Peterson will recognize Torres at a ceremony April 21 at Los Alamos.

Torres worked at Los Alamos from 1982 to 1984 first as an undergraduate and then as a graduate research assistant. He moved to the Nevada Test Site for about 10 years, advancing to lead NTS’s Airborne Response Team.

Torres returned to Los Alamos in 1993; he divides his time between supporting the Associate  Directorate for Safeguards and Security and NNSA’s Office of  Defense Nuclear Security. At NNSA, Torres is part of a team that is upgrading the Defense Nuclear Security office’s policies and budget management tools, and metrics to ensure the most effective and cost-efficient safeguards and security programs throughout the weapons complex.

Torres has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from New Mexico State University, a master’s degree in security management, and a Master of Business Administration degree, both from Webster University. He is a Certified Protection Professional.