Bradley A. Peterson was named by the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) as the Chief, Defense Nuclear Security and Associated Administrator for Defense Nuclear Security in June 2008.  In his current position, he is responsible for the development and implementation of security programs for the NNSA including the protection, control, and accounting of materials, and for the physical and cyber security for all NNSA facilities.  During his career he has served in a wide variety of assignments that has given him broad experience in security, cyber security, intelligence, and counterintelligence.  From 2006 to 2008 he served as the Director of the Office of Independent Oversight within the Office of Health, Safety, and Security with responsibility for the independent oversight of safeguards and security, cyber security, emergency management, and environment, safety, and health programs at NNSA and other DOE facilities across the country.  Before that, he served as the Director of the Office of Cyber Security Evaluations within the Office of Independent Oversight from 1999 to 2006 and led numerous combined security and cyber security assessments of NNSA and DOE facilities.  Mr. Peterson began his service with DOE in 1991 and also served in assignments within Defense Programs and the Office of Environment, Safety, and Health as a Nuclear Engineer.  He has been a member of the Senior Executive Service since 2002 and is qualified as a Senior Technical Safety Manager. 

Mr. Peterson graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in May 1980 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He served on active duty in the United States Navy from 1980 until 1989 with sea duty assignments on USS Grayling (SSN 646) and USS Alaska (SSBN 732 Gold).  During these assignments he served in a number of positions including Communications Officer, Command Security Officer, Weapons Officer, and Main Propulsion Assistant and qualified in submarines and as a chief engineer of a nuclear-powered submarine.  He also participated in the United States Navy – Canadian Forces Personnel Exchange Program and was stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia from 1987 to 1989 as a tactics instructor at the Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre.  After leaving active duty, Mr. Peterson changed designators to intelligence and served as an active drilling reservist in the United States Navy Reserve Intelligence Program from 1989 until 2007.  He served in number of intelligence assignments in the National Capital Region including Commanding Officer of the largest Navy Reserve Intelligence unit in the country from 2001 to 2003 with significant responsibilities for providing support to the Global War on Terrorism.  Mr. Peterson retired from the United States Navy in March 2008 with the rank of Captain.