San Martin New Manager of DOE’s Field Office

by Mike Perricone

Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson cited Robert San Martin’s "broad background" in naming him the new manager of the Chicago Operations Office, and a broad background is necessary for managing the two multi-purpose laboratories and five single purpose laboratories operated from the Chicago office.

The Chicago Operations Office is responsible for about $1.7 billion a year in DOE research, development and other programs. The office oversees a large share of the Office of Science’s agreements with educational institutions for basic research, and lends its experience and expertise in competitive procurement agreements with business and industry.

As manager, San Martin will oversee operations for

• Fermilab, the world’s highest-energy particle physics facility;

• Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, the only national lab dedicated to the development of fusion energy science;

• Ames Laboratory, which focuses on materials research, high-performance computing and environmental science and management efforts;

• Argonne, in nearby Downers Grove, with diverse basic and applied research programs in mathematics and the physical and biological sciences;

• Brookhaven, another multi-purpose laboratory;

• New Brunswick Laboratory, which performs measurements of nuclear material and serves as the federal certifying authority for nuclear reference materials; and

• Argonne-West, located in the Idaho desert, which deals with nuclear safety.

San Martin, a 20-year DOE employee, assumed his new responsibilities for this diverse grouping of labs on March 15. He takes over for John Kennedy, who has been serving as acting manager. Kennedy will return to his former position as group manager, Technical and Administrative Services, at the Chicago Operations Office.

"Bob San Martin’s broad background in managing various research and development programs within the department and the academic community is an excellent addition to the department’s field operations," said Secretary Richardson. "I also want to express my appreciation to John Kennedy, who has been serving as acting manager, for his contributions and excellent work."

San Martin, who holds his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida, is a former professor of mechanical engineering at New Mexico State University. He has served as director of the New Mexico Solar Energy Institute and the New Mexico Energy Institute. He has also served as a consultant for the White Sands Missile Range, the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory and several private corporations.