WASHINGTON, D.C. – U. S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman administered the oath of office today to Bill Ostendorff to be the principal deputy administrator at the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

Ostendorff will run NNSA’s daily operations, serve as NNSA’s top technical advisor and provide leadership and direction to NNSA’s senior staff.  He will also be involved in NNSA’s interaction with Congress and will implement policies to shape the future of NNSA.

 “We welcome Bill to the Energy Department.  NNSA has a critical national security mission and it is important to have him on the job.  He brings a tremendous amount of experience and expertise with him and I have full confidence that he will be a valuable member of our team,” said Secretary Bodman.

Previously, Ostendorff served as counsel and staff director for the Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee.  In 2002, Ostendorff retired from the Navy and joined the Institute for Defense Analyses.  From 1999-2002, he served as director of the Division of Mathematics and Science at the United States Naval Academy.  From 1998-1999, he commanded Submarine Squadron Six in Norfolk, Virginia.  From 1996-1998, he was director of the Submarine Force Atlantic Prospective Commanding Officer School.  He served on six submarines, including command of the USS NORFOLK (SSN 714) from 1992-1995.

“I’m pleased to be a part of the NNSA team.  We are fortunate to have top notch employees performing important national security missions, including ensuring that our nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile is safe, secure and reliable without testing, and keeping nuclear material out of the hands of terrorists worldwide,” said Ostendorff.

By operational law, the principal deputy administrator becomes the acting administrator when the administrator’s position is vacant, as it is now.  Therefore, Ostendorff will also assume the duties of the acting administrator of NNSA.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a separately organized agency in 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.  Additional information on NNSA.

Media contact(s):
Bryan Wilkes, (202) 586-7371