AIKEN, S.C. – U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) Senior Advisor William “Ike” White presented Pam Marks of the Savannah River Site (SRS) with the DOE’s Federal Project Director of the Year Award for 2020 during his visit to the site today.

Marks received the award for her role as the federal project director of the Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF), which was designed, constructed, and commissioned to treat more than 30 million gallons of radioactive waste generated by nuclear materials production operations at SRS over many decades of the Cold War.

"You ensured the SWPF was rigorously tested and commissioned to allow it to process the radioactive waste effectively and efficiently, significantly reducing the life cycle of the Liquid Waste Program at SRS and saving billions of taxpayer dollars," Secretary Jennifer Granholm wrote in the award citation. "You are commended for this significant accomplishment central to the achievement of the Mission of the Office of Environmental Management and the Department of Energy."

The annual award by the Secretary of Energy recognizes a federal project director who demonstrates excellence in project management, resulting in a project performing in an unmatched manner over the past fiscal year. Marks served as the federal project director of SWPF from 2013 to its completion and readiness for operations.

White recognized Marks for her leadership and project management expertise that led to the $2.3 billion first-of-a-kind nuclear facility launching radioactive operations more than five months ahead of schedule and $53 million under budget last year. That development represented a leap forward in DOE’s ability to tackle tank waste.

“The SWPF is the final piece of the liquid waste program and will allow for completion of the liquid waste mission at SRS,” White said. “Pam worked exceptionally hard to earn this top DOE-wide recognition, and her exemplary performance is a good example of what we can accomplish even in these challenging times.”

Marks, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Science degree in engineering administration from George Washington University, has more than 30 years of experience working in the nuclear industry managing and operating large manufacturing and technical services operations for the commercial nuclear industry and the U.S. government.

EM is treating record-setting amounts of waste as the SWPF proves to be an aggressive workhorse for the liquid waste mission at SRS. In fiscal 2020, SWPF’s operations led to significant new records that are expected to continue to climb in fiscal 2021.