Thomas (Thom) Mason
Introduction
Thomas (Thom) Mason is the Director of Los Alamos National Laboratory and President and CEO of Triad National Security, LLC. He provides strategic leadership for the Laboratory’s national security, science, and mission-delivery portfolio, guiding long-term priorities, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring operational excellence across one of the nation’s most complex scientific institutions.
Background
Mason brings more than 30 years of experience leading scientific organizations, major user facilities, and national security missions. Before joining Los Alamos, he served as Senior Vice President for Global Laboratory Operations at Battelle, where he oversaw governance and strategy for the six national laboratories that Battelle manages or co-manages. Prior to Battelle, Mason spent 19 years at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, including a decade as Laboratory Director. Under his leadership, Oak Ridge achieved major program growth, expansion of scientific capabilities, construction of new facilities, and record improvements in laboratory safety performance. Earlier roles at Oak Ridge included Associate Laboratory Director for Neutron Sciences and for the Spallation Neutron Source and Director of the Experimental Facilities Division.
Before his time at Oak Ridge, Mason was a faculty member in the Department of Physics at the University of Toronto, a senior scientist at Risø National Laboratory, and a postdoctoral researcher at Bell Labs. He has been deeply involved in the design and construction of scientific facilities and in applying nuclear, computing, and materials sciences to national security and energy challenges.
Education / Awards
- PhD, Experimental Condensed Matter Physics — McMaster University
- BSc, Physics — Dalhousie University
Area Managed
As Laboratory Director, Mason leads all research, national security programs, operations, and infrastructure activities at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He sets the strategic direction for the Laboratory’s scientific and mission portfolios, oversees execution of nuclear security responsibilities for the National Nuclear Security Administration, and ensures safe, reliable, and innovative performance across the Laboratory’s multidisciplinary capabilities. Working closely with federal sponsors, partner laboratories, and regional stakeholders, he advances the Laboratory’s role in national defense, scientific discovery, and economic vitality for Northern New Mexico.