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STB Program director named
Allen Hartford Jr. has been named program director for Science and Technology Base (STB) Programs, for which he has been acting program director since October 1998.
The STB program office works to strengthen the foundations of science and technology needed to accomplish the Laboratory's mission. STB programs include Laboratory-Directed Research and Development (LDRD); DOE Office of Science, Planning, Education Programs; UC Coordination; Los Alamos Science; and Special Projects.
"I'm pleased that Allen has agreed to undertake on a permanent basis the challenges and responsibilities of directing the STB programs, which he's done so ably over the past year," said Laboratory Director John Browne. "His experience in helping to keep our science base vital has been and will continue to be a great asset to the Laboratory."
A chemist with degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Illinois, Urbana, Hartford has held a number of management positions at Los Alamos. Since joining the Laboratory in 1978, he has served as group leader for Photochemistry, deputy division leader for Chemistry, division leader in Chemical and Laser Sciences, team leader for STB's Planning and Assessment, and deputy director for STB.
Hartford began his professional career as a staff member in the laser program at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and later spent several years at the Materials Research Center of Allied Chemical Corporation. He is co-founder of one of the first industrial programs investigating the use of lasers in chemical processing and was awarded patents for the use of lasers in the separation of light isotopes.
Hartford's goal as STB program director is to work with the deputy Laboratory director for Science, Technology and Programs, the associate Laboratory directors and division directors to assure that the Laboratory's scientific foundations continue to prosper in an era of increased constraints.
"We must attract the best and brightest staff through our student and postdoctoral programs and strategic hires, create an environment that entices people to pursue their careers here, enhance our collaborations with universities, invest our discretionary resources wisely, and increase programmatic support for fundamental research," he said.
"I have had the pleasure and privilege of being a member of STB for almost six years," Hartford said. "The quality and dedication of the people in STB is second to none. To be appointed program director of such a superb organization is truly an honor."
Hartford's appointment was effective Oct. 18.
--Kay Roybal
Services today for Lab retiree Richard Naffziger
Lab retiree Richard Naffziger died Oct. 21. Naffziger came to the Laboratory in 1958 after graduating from Michigan State University as a mechanical engineer. During his tenure at the Lab, Naffziger was responsible for nuclear weapons testing and design for numerous warhead types in the weapons program. He received the Laboratory Award of Excellence in 1986 and retired in 1988 from WX-3. A memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. today at the First United Methodist Church, 715 Diamond Drive, Los Alamos.
Proposed change in standard work schedules announced
Last week all University of California and contractor employees at the Lab should have received an all-employee memo outlining proposed changes to the Lab's standard work schedule. The memo explained that an earlier proposal for compressed work schedules has been transformed into a more far-reaching change that would make 9/80 schedules the standard for the Lab.
A 9/80 schedule means that employees would work eight 9-hour days, one 8-hour day, and have one day off over a two-week period. The 8-hour day and the day off would occur on Fridays. Schedules would be staggered so that organizations would remain open, but with reduced staff, on Fridays.
In an organization following a 9/80 schedule, half of the employees would be on "schedule A," and half would work "schedule B" (see chart below).
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Schedule A (one half of employees) Week One: Week Two: |
Schedule B (other half of employees) Week One: Week Two: |
Under the proposed policy, group-level managers would approve an employee request to remain on a five-day/ 8 hours per day schedule or they could establish a five-day schedule when operationally required. In addition, division-level managers would be able to approve four day/10 hours per day schedules when such schedules would provide a programmatic or operational advantage. The policy would allow for up to four schedule changes each year. An additional schedule change would be allowed if an employee transfers to a new position. Supervisors still would be able to approve the starting and ending time of each employee's workday.
Before the new proposal is implemented, the Human Resources (HR) Division has stated that they would like to assess the degree of support for it. A very brief survey has been established at http://truchas.lanl.gov/sm2/surveys/26541097.html to gather this input and any additional comments from employees. This survey will be available through Oct. 29 and is available to both UC and contract personnel. Vicki McCabe of HR Policy encouraged employees and contractors to take the brief survey.
McCabe said, "Before we implement this proposed policy, we want to be sure to give employees a chance to voice their opinion."
--David Lyons
Bradbury Science Museum sponsors pumpkin
contest
Enter your jack-o-lanterns and decorated pumpkins in a contest sponsored by the Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos. All entries in the pumpkin contest will receive a prize. Special prizes will be awarded for the most creative entries in two age groups: children to age 14 and teens/adults age 15 and up. Deliver entries to the museum, located at 15th and Central, between 2 and 5 p.m. Thursday
Designs must be original -- no commercial stencils. Be creative and unique if you want to win one of the special prizes. Winners will be announced Friday morning at 9. All entries will be displayed at the Museum and other Los Alamos businesses. Owners may pick up their pumpkins from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday or Sunday.
On Friday, the museum will join other Los Alamos businesses for a holiday open house for children. Gather at the museum from 4 to 7 p.m. for a Halloween Masquerade. Mask making and a grab bag will be the featured activities. Mask supplies will be provided, but children should wear their costumes. Call 667-4444, extension 6, for more information on these Halloween activities.
Brochure offers tips on how to prepare
for possible year-2000 problems
Everybody's getting into it. Offering advice on what to do to prepare for the year-2000 changeover, that is.
Even Dear Abby proffered advice in one of her columns last week, suggesting that people buy a battery-powered radio to keep informed about the location of the nearest shelters, and check with emergency service providers in the community before an emergency arises.
And emergency-preparedness agencies, such as the Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, also have year-2000 preparedness information on their World Wide Web sites.
The Laboratory's Year 2000 Project Team earlier this year developed and distributed to employees and subcontract personnel a "personal preparedness" brochure that offers tips on preparing for the year-2000 computer millennium bug at home.
"It's generally accepted that the year-2000 computer bug may cause minor local disruptions rather than massive, nationwide power outages, communication blackouts or supply shortages," said Diane Weir of the Computing, Information and Communications (CIC) Division and the Year 2000 Project Team leader. "Our brochure offers employees some personal tips on how to prepare for possible disruption of basic services."
Donald Montoya of Communication Arts and Services (CIC-1) designed the brochure.
The brochure provides tips on how to prepare for possible interruption of basic services; types of supplies to have on hand; local service telephone numbers in Los Alamos, Santa Fe and Española; and links to other World Wide Web year-2000 preparedness sites.
The brochure notes for example, that people should have a three-to-five day supply of food and water available. The foodstuffs should be nonperishable in case refrigeration or cooking facilities aren't available because of power disruptions.
If electricity is interrupted because of the year-2000 changeover, televisions, computers and other electronic equipment should be turned off and unplugged and turned on only after power is restored. "The resumption of power could cause a power spike that might damage appliances," the brochure notes. It also echoes Dear Abby's advice that battery-powered radios should be available to monitor local news reports in the event of outages.
For medical situations, the brochure suggests that people have a one-week supply of prescription medicines for themselves and their pets. People should update their medical records, and take an inventory of first-aid supplies in the home.
The brochure also urges people to stay in contact with neighbors, especially the elderly and families with young children.
George Van Tiem of Emergency Management and Response (S-8) and a member of the Lab's Y2K facilities planning team, said about 30 percent of Los Alamos residents are retirees. He suggested neighbors check on elderly neighbors. He added the Lab is working closely with Los Alamos County emergency preparedness officials to assist with power disruptions that might affect the elderly and other county residents and services.
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The personal preparedness brochure also suggests that financial records such as bank statements and insurance papers be up-to-date; that nonelectric toys and games and reading material be readily available; and that gasoline tanks in cars be kept full because gas can't be pumped if there is no electricity. The brochure also provides a handy checklist of supplies to have on hand, including flashlights with fresh batteries, hand-operated can openers, nonperishable food items and pet foods for three to five days, warm clothing, sleeping bags and blankets, first-aid supplies, prescription medicines, paper plates, cups, plastic eating utensils, garbage bags, bathroom tissue, and battery operated radios and carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. A chart gives telephone numbers for police and fire departments, as well as utility-service providers for gas, electricity and telephones. The back page of the brochure gives World Wide Web addresses for the Federal Emergency Management Agency -- http://www.fema.gov/y2k/bltn00.htm -- as well as Web addresses for the American Red Cross -- http://www.redcross.org/Y2K.html -- and federal links to year-2000 community preparedness sites around the country. The personal preparedness brochure can be obtained through the Lab's year-2000 Web site. More information about the Lab's year-2000 readiness effort can be found at http://www.lanl.gov/projects/ia/year2000/ online. --Steve Sandoval |
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Warren "Pete" Miller, left, and Laboratory Director John Browne, center, watch appreciatively as Hans Ruppel offers some comments during a recent reception in his and Miller's honor. The reception was held to thank Miller and Ruppel for their service to the Laboratory in acting capacities. Ruppel, who has retired, served as acting associate Laboratory director for strategic and supporting research from April 1998 until recently when Thomas Meyer of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was named to the position. Klaus Lackner is serving as acting ALD for SSR until January, when Meyer takes over the job permanently. Miller, who has been in senior management at the Laboratory for numerous years, most recently served as acting associate Laboratory director for business administration and outreach. Joseph Salgado, who joined the Laboratory in late August, now holds that position. Miller currently serves as senior adviser to the director. Photo by John Bass |
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Lab Counsel offers guidance on dealings with investigators The Laboratory Counsel Office has issued a memorandum that provides guidance to employees who might be asked for documents or interviews by investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation or U.S. Attorney's Office. Click here for the memo. |
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