WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today administered the oath of office to Thomas P. D’Agostino as the third Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the Department’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

“I applaud the Senate’s quick action to confirm Tom D’Agostino as Administrator of NNSA,” Secretary Bodman said.  “Tom brings institutional knowledge of the weapons complex and firsthand experience in leading our defense programs to his new position.  I am pleased to have him on my senior leadership team as we work to further President Bush’s energy and national security agenda and advance critical nonproliferation goals.”

President Bush nominated D’Agostino on May 17, 2007, and he was confirmed by the Senate on August 1, 2007.  D’Agostino, who joined the Department in 1991, most recently served as NNSA’s Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs.

“I am honored by the opportunity to serve the President and Secretary Bodman as NNSA Administrator,” D’Agostino said.  “I look forward to fulfilling the President’s vision of a smaller stockpile, transforming the country’s weapons complex, and continuing to lead the world in combating the spread of nuclear weapons and material around the globe.”

D’Agostino has more than 29 years of military service in the United States Navy, retiring with the rank of captain from the U.S. Naval Reserves.  He received his bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and his master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins University and the Naval War College.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a separately organized agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science.  NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the United States and abroad.

Read more information, and view Administrator D’Agostino’s biography, on the NNSA website.

Media contact(s):
Julie Ruggiero, (202) 586-4940
NNSA, (202) 586-7371