WASHINGTON , DC – Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman today announced that Thomas P. D’Agostino has been sworn in as Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs in the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).  Deputy Administrator D’Agostino will lead NNSA’s weapons programs, which maintain the reliability of our nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile.

 

“Tom D’Agostino’s highly valued experience and leadership will be critical assets as we continue to transform our nuclear weapons stockpile and respond to our national security needs,” Secretary Bodman said.

 

President Bush nominated Deputy Administrator D’Agostino on January 27, 2006, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him on February 17.  He previously served in NNSA’s Defense Programs office as the assistant deputy administrator for Program Integration.  He has more than 29 years of military service in the United States Navy and is currently a captain in the U.S. Naval Reserves.  

 

Deputy Administrator D’Agostino will lead NNSA’s Defense Programs, including the Stockpile Stewardship Program, as well as manufacturing, maintaining, refurbishing, and dismantling the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile.  Defense Programs oversees and directs the research, development and engineering needed to maintain the safety and reliability of the stockpile.  At the direction of the president, by December 2010, the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile will be reduced to the smallest level since the Eisenhower administration.

 

“I am honored to have been selected for this position.  I look forward to working to transform the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile and develop a more modernized, cost-effective, and safe and secure future for the nuclear weapons program,” Deputy Administrator D’Agostino said. 

 

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within DOE 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 U.S. and abroad.