It will be important for the director to continue to advise the government on nuclear matters because of the nuclear competency and the nuclear facilities at the Laboratory. Also, the Laboratory provides the continuity through changes in government administrations and cycles in policy. The Laboratory's role typically is to provide options based on technology and to do independent analysis of the utmost integrity. The director must be able to provide such leadership. Commensurate with having a compelling national mission, the Laboratory must do great science.
Science is imperative to do the nuclear job.
Science also provides the flexibility and resilience to adapt to changing national requirements. Science differentiates us from industry. Science allies us with universities. Yet, science at the DOE laboratories is most fragile. The director has the opportunity to play a major role in the national science and technology community.