Leadership

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Throughout its history, Sandia has been guided by the core principle of — in the words of President Harry Truman — providing "exceptional service in the national interest".

James S. Peery portrait

James S. Peery

Laboratories Director

Labs Director James S. Peery provides leadership and management direction for the safe, secure execution of all Sandia missions. 


David Gibson headshot

David Gibson

Deputy Laboratories Director – Chief Operating Officer

Deputy Labs Director and Chief Operating Officer David Gibson provides leadership, oversight, management direction, and execution to implement the Labs Director’s strategic vision for safe and secure operations at Sandia. 


Laura McGill

Deputy Laboratories Director for Nuclear Deterrence – Chief Technology Officer

As Deputy Laboratories Director for Nuclear Deterrence and Chief Technology Officer, Laura McGill leads programs to meet the nuclear weapons modernization schedule and assure the reliability of the existing stockpile.


Scott Aeilts, Mission Services, Associate Labs Director

Scott Aeilts

Mission Services Associate Labs Director

Scott Aeilts leads financial management systems, business excellence and process improvements, work authorization systems, information technology, purchasing, and other administrative services.

Brian Carter, HR & Communications Executive Director and Chief Human Resources Officer

Brian E. Carter

Human Resources & Communications Executive Director & Chief Human Resources Officer

As the Executive Director of Human Resources and Communications, Brian E. Carter also serves as Sandia National Laboratories’ Chief Human Resources Officer. He is responsible for ensuring that Human Resources, Communications and Employee Health Services operate efficiently to provide key Labs services in support of mission delivery.


William Elias, Executive Director, Chief Legal Officer I& Secretary of NTESS, LLC

William S. Elias II

Executive Director Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary of NTESS, LLC

William Elias is the Executive Director of the Legal Division and Chief Legal Officer for Sandia National Laboratories. He also serves as Corporate Secretary of NTESS, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc. NTESS operates Sandia National Laboratories as a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.

Deborah Frincke, National Security Programs, Associate Labs Director

Deborah Frincke

National Security Programs Associate Labs Director

As the Associate Laboratories Director for National Security Programs, Deborah Frincke manages Strategic Partnership projects for the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal departments and agencies, Strategic Intelligence Partnership Projects for the U.S. Intelligence Community, and programs for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence.


Steve Girrens, Associate Labs Director & Chief Engineer for Nuclear Weapons

Steve Girrens

Nuclear Deterrence Stockpile Management, Components and Production Associate Labs Director & Chief Engineer for Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear Deterrence Stockpile Management, Components and Production Associate Labs Director and Chief Engineer for Nuclear Weapons Steve Girrens is responsible for the safety, surety, and reliability of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile.

Rita Gonzales, Nuclear Deterrence Modernization and Future Systems Associate Labs Director and Chief Systems Engineer

Rita Gonzales

Chief Systems Engineer & Associate Laboratories Director, Nuclear Deterrence Modernization and Future Systems

As the Chief Systems Engineer and Associate Laboratories Director for Sandia’s Nuclear Deterrence Modernization and Future Systems, Rita Gonzales ensures systems level execution of Life Extension Programs and Alterations while serving as the primary Sandia interface with leadership at other NNSA sites.


Jeff Heath

Infrastructure Operations Associate Laboratories Director

As Associate Laboratories Director for Infrastructure, Jeff supports the laboratories objectives by providing clean, well maintained, and operable facilities, lifecycle capital asset management, and comprehensive security services.

Justine Johannes

Global Security Associate Laboratories Director

As the Associate Labs Director for Global Security at Sandia National Laboratories, Justine Johannes leads the Global Security portfolio, including global threat reduction, nuclear risk reduction, and nonproliferation and international security programs.


Douglas B. Kothe

Advanced Science and Technology and Chief Research Officer, Associate Labs Director

As the Associate Labs Director for Advanced Science and Technology and Chief Research Officer, Douglas Kothe leads numerous science programs, environmental technologies, computing, modeling and simulation laboratory-directed research and development, user facilities, and academic programs

Andrew McIlroy, Integrated Security Solutions, Associate Labs Director

Andrew McIlroy

Integrated Security Solutions, Associate Labs Director

As Integrated Security Solutions Associate Labs Director, Andrew McIlroy provides leadership and management direction for Sandia’s California Laboratory, including Livermore Valley weapon systems and component engineering. He also holds primary responsibility for Sandia’s Energy & Homeland Security portfolio, encompassing activities in California, New Mexico, Texas, Alaska, and beyond.


John Zepper, Information Engineering Executive Director and Chief Inofrmation Officer

John Zepper

Information Engineering Executive Director & Chief Information Officer

As the Information Engineering Executive Director and Chief Information Officer, John Zepper provides leadership in quality and performance assurance, cybersecurity and mission computing, surety engineering and weapons quality, and information technology services.