WASHINGTON, D.C. - National Nuclear Security Administration Administrator Linton F. Brooks today announced that Dr. Everet Beckner, deputy administrator for defense programs, will resign from his position effective April 30.

Beckner was nominated by President Bush on September 25, 2001 and confirmed by the Senate on January 25, 2002. His principle responsibility has been to manage the $6.5 billion program that maintains the stockpile and ensures that the nation's nuclear weapons remain safe, secure and reliable.

"Ev has played a key role in the leadership of NNSA and has served this agency well. He is one of the most dedicated public servants I know," Brooks said. "He has been a superb custodian of the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile. Ev's departure is a serious loss to NNSA, the Department of Energy and the country."

Before becoming NNSA's deputy administrator for defense programs, Beckner served as the deputy chief executive at Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Aldermaston, United Kingdom. Before that position, he was the vice president of technical operations and environment, safety and health for Lockheed Martin's Energy and Environment Sector in Bethesda, MD.

"It has been an honor to serve this administration as head of NNSA's nuclear weapons programs. It has been a complicated job with many challenges, ranging from concerns about the safety and reliability of the nuclear stockpile, to the health and vitality of the weapons laboratories and production plants, and to the important interactions that occur with the Congress, the OMB, and other federal agencies. I now look forward to other adventures life has to offer," Beckner said.

Before NNSA's creation, Beckner had been the principal deputy assistant secretary for defense programs at the Department of Energy (DOE) in Washington, D.C. from 1991-1995. His service at the DOE followed a lengthy career at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Beckner served in a number of positions during his 28 years at Sandia including vice president of defense programs and vice president of energy programs.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Baylor University, and a Masters of Arts and Doctorate in Physics from Rice University. He is also a Fellow in the American Physical Society.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for maintaining and enhancing the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; working to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; providing the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responding to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.

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

Number: NA-05-06