Organization
INL is managed by Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) for the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy. BEA is a limited liability company wholly owned by Battelle.
Battelle Energy Alliance Team Members
- Battelle
- BWX Technologies, Inc.
- AECOM
- Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
- University Partners (see below)
University Partners: MIT, The Ohio State University, North Carolina State University, University of New Mexico, and Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Idaho State University, and Boise State University.
INL Mission
Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.
INL Vision
Our vision is to change the world’s energy future and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure.
Lab Leadership
Dr. Mark Peters, Laboratory Director
Dr. Mark Peters is the director of Idaho National Laboratory and president of Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC. His credentials and experience include leadership and management of large institutions with substantial efforts focused on technology research and development. Prior to joining Battelle, he served as the associate laboratory director for Energy and Global Security at Argonne National Laboratory. Dr. Peters serves as a senior adviser to the Department of Energy on nuclear energy technologies, research and development programs and nuclear waste policy.
As a recognized expert in nuclear fuel cycle technologies and nuclear waste management, he is called upon frequently to provide expert testimony to Congress and to advise in formulation of policies for nuclear fuel cycles, nonproliferation and nuclear waste disposal. In 2015, he was honored as a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society for outstanding accomplishments in the area of nuclear science and technology. He serves on the ANS Public Policy Committee, and served on the executive committee of the ANS Fuel Cycle and Waste Management Division. Earlier in his career, he worked in science and research positions at both Los Alamos National Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology. Dr. Peters received his doctorate in geophysical sciences from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in geology from Auburn University. He has received extensive management and leadership education and training, including completion of the Strategic Laboratory Leadership Program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Read his extended bio here
Mr. Juan Alvarez, Deputy Laboratory Director for Management and Operations and Chief Operating Officer
With 21 years of exemplary leadership and management providing facility and site support services for nuclear and non-nuclear facilities, Mr. Alvarez has demonstrated award-winning experience in facility management within a laboratory environment. In his INL role as deputy lab director for Management, he has overall leadership responsibility for effective implementation of major functional management and business transformation efforts. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and secondary education from the University of Miami and a master’s degree in industrial technology from the University of Idaho.
Dr. Kelly Beierschmitt, Deputy Laboratory Director for Science and Technology and Chief Research Officer
With more than 31 years of experience in engineering, nuclear and materials-related research & development, production, and operations management, Dr. Beierschmitt is the deputy laboratory director for Science and Technology and chief research officer at INL. He is responsible for providing strategic leadership, direction, and integration for research, science and technology at INL. He served as INL’s deputy for Nuclear and Laboratory Operations since January 2014.
Read his extended bio here
Dr. Kemal Pasamehmetoglu, Associate Lab Director — Nuclear S&T
Dr. Kemal Pasamehmetoglu has been with INL since 2004. He is currently serving as the Director of the recently-established Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative. He also serves as Associate Laboratory Director for INL’s Nuclear Science & Technology Directorate. Prior to his time at INL, he held senior technical leadership positions at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Kemal also served as the national technical director (NTD) for Fuel Cycle Research and Development in the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative. During his tenure as a division director and as a NTD he has transformed nuclear fuels capabilities in the nation and at INL into world-leading endeavors. He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Central Florida and has more than 25 years of research engineering experience within the national laboratory system.
Mr. Zachary Tudor, Associate Lab Director – National & Homeland Security S&T
Prior to joining INL in June 2016, Mr. Tudor was program director in the Computer Science Laboratory at SRI International, where he served as a management and technical resource for operational and research and development cybersecurity programs for government, intelligence, and commercial projects supporting DHS’s Cyber Security Division on multiple projects. Mr. Tudor serves as a member of (ISC)2’s Application Security Advisory Board and the Nuclear Cyber Security Working Group, and he also serves as the vice chair of the Institute for Information Infrastructure Protection at George Washington University. Prior to SRI, he led a team of cybersecurity engineers and analysts directly supporting the Control Systems Security Program at DHS, whose mission is to reduce the cybersecurity risk to critical infrastructure systems. A retired U.S. Navy Submarine Electronics Limited Duty Officer and Chief Data Systems Technician, Tudor holds an M.S. in Information Systems from George Mason University concentrating in cybersecurity, where he was also an adjunct professor teaching graduate courses in information security.
Read his extended bio here
Mr. Michael Hagood, Acting Associate Lab Director — Energy & Environment S&T
Mr. Michael Hagood has more than 30 years of experience in energy and environment scientific research, business development and management, including working internationally for several years. His experience includes addressing innovation around clean energy, advanced transportation and manufacturing, and environmental stewardship. He has directed program development for the Energy and Environment Science and Technology directorate and the Center for Advanced Energy Studies. Mr. Hagood also leads INL’s Mission Innovation initiative, which includes addressing regional clean energy systems. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology from Oregon State University and Portland State University, respectively, and is a registered geologist and hydrogeologist in the state of Washington.
Dr. Sean O’Kelly — Associate Lab Director – Advanced Test Reactor
Mr. O’Kelly has more than 30 years of nuclear reactor experience. He served as deputy director at the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Center for Neutron Research. He also served as chief of Reactor Operations and Engineering at NIST and was responsible for the direction and management of reactor operations, maintenance and engineering for the NIST 20 MW test reactor. He has worked as a nuclear engineer at NIST and as a manager and reactor operator at Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin research reactors. He served in the U.S. Navy in Idaho as a prototype instructor and reactor operator and on the USS Benjamin Franklin as a reactor operator. He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, and a master’s degree in industrial engineering and bachelor’s degree in physics from Texas A&M University. He also serves as chairman of the IAEA Technical Working Group on Research Reactors and is vice chair of the ANS/ANSI Research and Advanced Reactors Consensus Committee.
Mr. Ron Crone — Associate Lab Director – Materials and Fuels Complex
Mr. Crone has more than 25 years of experience in engineering, management and technical leadership. He served as interim associate lab director for the Neutron Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He was responsible for the management of the neutron sciences R&D portfolio, which includes the operation of the Spallation Neutron Source and the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). He began his career in the Reactor Engineering Group at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station near Toledo, Ohio. He then worked at the Yankee Rowe Nuclear Power Station in Rowe, Massachusetts, as a reactor engineer and shift technical adviser. He moved to Tennessee and joined the staff of the HFIR in the Research Reactors Division (RRD) in January 1992. He holds a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Alabama at Huntsville.
Ms. Carol Mascareñas, Director – Environment, Safety and Health
With more than 28 years of experience, Ms. Mascareñas leads INL’s Environment, Safety and Health Directorate. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this position, including 20 years in management roles with increasing levels of responsibility. Previously at INL, she was ES&H deputy director for four years, and held director roles in Occupational Safety and Health, Occupational Medicine and Environmental Compliance. A licensed civil engineer, she has been a regulator, a private consultant and a DOE contractor (industry). Ms. Mascareñas is serving a gubernatorial appointment to the Idaho Board of Environmental Quality as the current chair, and is on the Operations Committee for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. She earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from California State Polytechnic University.
Ms. Denise Stephens, Director – CIO, Information Management
Ms. Stephens joined Idaho National Laboratory as deputy chief information officer in May 2011. Ms. Stephens previously worked for Savannah River Nuclear Solutions in Aiken, S.C., where she served as the technical director and project information manager for a multibillion-dollar construction project for the NNSA. Prior to that, she was the chief information officer for Washington Savannah River Company, LLC and led the information management, technology and telecommunications functions for the Savannah River Site for more than 10 years. She has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Missouri.
Read her extended bio here.
Mr. Dennis Newby, Director – Business Management, CFO
Mr. Newby joined Idaho National Laboratory in 2012 and leads an organization of over 200 staff providing a wide range of business support, including acquisition services, prime contract management, agreements management, project management, business systems, accounting, planning and decision support, and field-deployed business support offices. He has more than 30 years of progressive business leadership experience with Battelle, including Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Battelle Memorial Institute. Mr. Newby has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Central Washington University.
Ms. Amy Lientz, Director – Partnerships, Engagement & Tech Deployment
With 20 years of DOE and commercial nuclear industry experience, Ms. Lientz leads governmental affairs, media relations, public outreach, tech deployment, academic partnerships and economic development, with oversight of teams in Washington, D.C., Idaho Falls and Boise. She has worked in management positions in Idaho, Los Alamos, Denver and Hanford. With CH2MHill, Ms. Lientz served as the Idaho Cleanup Project’s vice president for Communications and Governmental Affairs before taking a job at the Hanford site, where she served as vice president for Strategic Planning and Outreach for the Central Plateau Project. She worked as a program manager in the commercial nuclear industry where she led the nation’s first early site permit and application for a new reactor for Exelon Corporation. Ms. Lientz has served as the president of many not-for-profit community organizations. She is a north Idaho native and has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Boise State University and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from University of Idaho.
Read her extended bio here.
Mr. Fredrick Pieper, Director – Internal Audit and Workplace Concerns
Mr. Fredrick Pieper leads the Internal Audit and Workplace Concerns program for Idaho National Laboratory. His primary responsibility is to provide senior management with objective and independent assurance regarding the effectiveness of risk management, internal controls, and governance processes. He manages investigative activities for INL’s Employee Concerns program. He has over 25 years of audit experience, including service with the Defense Contract Audit Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General. As a senior executive with the Office of Inspector General, Mr. Pieper was responsible for all program, performance and management control audits for the DOE’s Energy, Science and Environmental operations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and designations as a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor.
Read his extended bio here.
Mr. Carlo Melbihess, Director – Facilities & Site Services
Mr. Melbihess leads an organization of some 600 staff providing a wide range of facility and support services across the INL. These services include facility management, site-wide utility operations, logistics, property management, infrastructure planning, engineering and construction services, fleet management and logistics, precision machining, calibration services, landfill operations, and food services. He is a career Battelle employee. He has over 22 years of experience managing a wide variety of laboratory support functions such as facilities management, operations and maintenance, fabrication, roads and grounds services, facility design, construction, renovation and demolition project management, and, laboratory protection and security services.
Read his extended bio here
Mr. Mark Olsen – General Counsel
Mr. Mark Olsen returns to INL after serving for nearly six years as the Associate General Counsel for Laboratory Operations of Battelle Memorial Institute. In that role, he provided legal support to Battelle’s Laboratory Operations Global Business Unit, which oversees the performance of management and operating contracts at five national laboratories owned by the U.S. Department of Energy, and a national laboratory owned by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security. His position involved technical services contracts in the Middle East and the National Nuclear Laboratory in England, and other business development opportunities of Battelle Laboratory Operations. Prior to Mr. Olsen’s role at Battelle’s home office, he was the General Counsel of Idaho National Laboratory for over 10 years, and has worked for other DOE contractors. He began his DOE Complex career as a staff attorney with increasing responsibilities for DOE-Idaho Operations Office for nearly seven years. He was selected for this position based on the successful representation that his law firm provided to three contractors at INL in several cases involving construction, labor and employment, and personal injury matters. Mr. Olsen is a graduate of Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School and a past president of the DOE Contractor Attorneys’ Association.
Mr. Thomas Middleton, Director — Lab Protection
With an extensive track record in developing successful organizations through the establishment of goals, management expectations and employee accountability, Mr. Middleton has responsibility for aligning the Laboratory Protection Directorate with the INL Strategic Plan. The four Laboratory Protection departments are Security Systems, Protective Force, Emergency Services, and Security Programs and Services. A laboratory employee since 1991, he has held management positions in physical security, safeguards and personnel security, protective force, security and emergency services, and Facilities & Site Services. Before joining the lab, Mr. Middleton served six years as a special agent with the U.S. State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security, including a position at the American Embassy in Guatemala. He is a martial artist and holds a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Polytechnic University.
Read his extended bio here
Mr. Mark Holubar, Director – Human Resources & Diversity
With over 25 years of experience in human resources leadership positions in various corporations — from small privately held organizations to several Fortune 500 corporations — Mr. Holubar brings a strong background in HR and diversity to the INL team. His background of success involves all areas of human resources with an emphasis on leadership assessment and development, organizational assessment, talent assessment and recruiting, employee engagement, employee relations and strategic planning. Early in his career, Mr. Holubar also held leadership positions in operations management. In his position as the director of Human Resources and Diversity, he will lead the HR function through the transformation of Idaho National Laboratory to its vision to be the world’s pre-eminent nuclear energy laboratory. Mr. Holubar holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh.
Mr. John Bumgardner, Director – Resumption of Transient Testing
With 28 years of experience in project, operations and maintenance management, Mr. Bumgardner has a broad depth of leadership and knowledge of nuclear facilities. He is responsible for resumption of transient testing, including the potential restart of the TREAT (Transient Reactor Experiment and Test Facility) reactor. Before joining INL, he served as US ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) Nuclear Systems Division director at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He also served as the plant manager of the High Flux Isotope Reactor at ORNL, and was the cold source project completion manager. Earlier, he was project manager of facility transition and legacy management at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. He managed 19 commercial nuclear reactor outages at South Texas Project. Mr. Bumgardner has a senior reactor operator license, a control room supervisor certification for the DOE’s N Reactor, and is a Nuclear Regulatory Commission-certified pressurized water reactor examiner and a certified project management professional. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Oregon Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in project management from City University.
