Several key personnel changes are taking place in the front office of EM headquarters as Chief of Staff Mike Nartker and Deputy Chief of Staff Allison Finelli leave the cleanup program in coming weeks for new roles.

Nartker will depart DOE to pursue opportunities in the private sector, effective June 24. He has served as EM chief of staff since August 2021, capping a seven-year DOE career that includes senior-level communications and strategy roles in EM and the DOE Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs.

During his time in EM, Nartker played a key role in improving communications, including helping to establish the National Cleanup Workshop, improving tools like the "EM Update” and website, and helping to get EM headquarters and field sites on social media.

Nartker also led EM’s communications during the response to COVID-19 and worked to improve how EM communicates with employees, including the creation of the “EM Roundup.” He also led the development of the EM Strategic Vision and annual calendar year priorities — two important strategic planning documents essential for demonstrating what EM can achieve.

Erik Olds, EM’s director of communications, will be acting chief of staff until EM selects a new chief of staff.

Finelli is moving to the role of chief of staff for the DOE Office of Legacy Management (LM), effective in July. Finelli has served as EM’s deputy chief of staff since March 2020 and has been integral to the EM front office since 2018.

In her EM role, Finelli supported two program heads, providing staff continuity between EM leaders and during the administration transition in 2021. Finelli was instrumental in developing and refining EM processes and procedures, including plans for the transition to remote work during COVID-19, managing all aspects of front office scheduling, and developing the travel and engagement strategy.

Prior to joining the front office, Finelli worked in the EM offices of field operations, communications, and intergovernmental and community activities. In her new role, Finelli will continue to support the cleanup mission by helping to strengthen alignment and coordination with LM.

Longtime EM employee John Howard will serve as acting deputy chief of staff. Howard has served as director of the EM Correspondence Control Center since 2015. He joined EM in 2009 and served as the senior staff officer for two EM deputy assistant secretary offices and supported EM’s principal deputy assistant secretary.

Before his tenure with DOE, Howard spent four years as a staff member with the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations and nine years serving in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service.