Los Alamos National Laboratory announces audit program change

Contact: Linn Tytler, ltytler@lanl.gov, (505) 667-7000 (03-003)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Jan. 10, 2003 -- Los Alamos National Laboratory Associate Director for Administration Richard Marquez and Patrick Reed, Auditor for the University of California, today announced that Los Alamos Audits and Assessments office director Katherine Brittin will step down from her management position effective January 13, 2003.

“One of the things made clear by recent events at the Laboratory is the need for a strong and independent program of audits and investigations,” Reed said. “This is absolutely vital to ensure the University, Laboratory management, the Department of Energy and the public that the Laboratory operates in a sound business manner and that any suspected improprieties are investigated fully and expeditiously.”

In connection with changes in the Laboratory’s senior leadership announced Jan. 6, University of California President Richard Atkinson said that the audit program would immediately begin reporting to him through Reed. A review of the Laboratory’s audit program is underway under Reed’s direction. The Department of Energy Inspector General also has announced plans to launch a review of the program’s effectiveness.

Reed will directly oversee the audit program, with support from his Oakland-based management team, while the review is underway and a search for a new audit director is conducted.

“Katherine Brittin will be reassigned to another position in the Laboratory,” Marquez said. “We appreciate the contributions that Katherine has made to the Audits and Assessments Office over the past eight years.”

“However, as the University assumes control of these programs,” Marquez continued, “we concur with the need for new leadership from outside existing Laboratory management.”

Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission.

Los Alamos enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and national security concerns.

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