James Peery and Tina Nenoff recognized for excellence in leadership and scientific innovation

Two Sandia leaders have been honored by NNSA for their pivotal contributions to national security. Labs Director James Peery received the Administrator’s Gold Award and Sandia Fellow Tina Nenoff the Administrator’s Silver Award. The awards recognize exemplary service and transformative accomplishments.
James, who has led Sandia since January 2020, received NNSA’s highest honor for, among other achievements, his leadership during one of the most challenging periods in modern history. His citation singled out that he steered Sandia through the COVID-19 pandemic without missing a major deliverable, ensuring the Labs’ essential contributions to maintaining a safe, secure, reliable and credible nuclear deterrent amidst evolving geopolitical threats.
Beyond nuclear deterrence, James was recognized for driving advances in national security including hypersonics, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, cyber defense and next-generation radar systems.
NNSA said James exemplifies values of integrity, professionalism and service, and has led with vision and purpose, ensuring Sandia remains a pillar of the nuclear security enterprise and a leader in addressing the most pressing national security challenges of our time.
“This recognition is a testament to the achievements of the entire Sandia workforce,” James said. “Together we’ve overcome immense challenges and continued to push the boundaries of science and engineering to serve the nation. I’m honored to be part of NNSA.”

Tina was recognized for her scientific contributions and leadership as NNSA’s chief science adviser. The Silver Award acknowledges exceptional service, and her work has shaped national science policy and driven advancements in critical areas such as microelectronics and materials chemistry.
During her tenure as science adviser, Tina played a vital role in integrating artificial intelligence and large language models across DOE laboratories and advancing the CHIPS Act to strengthen U.S. semiconductor and microelectronics capabilities. She also provided expert guidance on topics ranging from explosive formulations to international science and technology collaborations.
A Sandia Fellow — an honor bestowed on only 21 people in Sandia’s history — Tina is a renowned materials chemist with over 190 peer-reviewed publications and 17 U.S. patents. She was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2024 and has received numerous accolades, including the Society of Women Engineers Achievement Award and fellow status with the National Academy of Inventors, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Chemical Society.
“I’m humbled by this recognition and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Sandia’s legacy of innovation and national security,” Tina said. “Science is a team effort, and I’m proud of the impact this laboratory has had.”