After 35 years of dedicated federal service, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management (LM) Deputy Director Peter O’Konski has wrapped a diverse federal career.

At an in-person and virtual ceremony on Dec. 6 in Washington, D.C., friends and colleagues offered kind words and best wishes to O’Konski through gifts, awards, and speeches, thanking him for years of service, including supporting LM’s mission of protecting human health and the environment.

During the ceremony, O’Konski was awarded the Secretary’s Exceptional Service for his long-tenured federal service, and his dedication and service to the DOE and the nation. The certificate and award were signed by Secretary Jennifer Granholm and presented by DOE Chief Sustainability Officer Ingrid Kolb.

“It is my honor to present to Peter O’Konski, our esteemed colleague, the Secretary’s Exceptional Service Award,” said Kolb, presenting him with the award certificate, which she read aloud: “In recognition of over 35 years of federal service at the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, Mr. Peter J. O’Konski has spent the last four years at the Office of Legacy Management as deputy director. He has garnered numerous awards and accolades for his work ethic, and the quality of service he consistently delivered to customers throughout his career.”

Kolb listed O’Konski’s many achievements and improvements he made at DOE, not only as LM deputy director but throughout his entire federal career. 

“He has been instrumental in improving long-term sustainability of environmental remedies, utilizing his expert knowledge and his willingness to address complex and often controversial issues, and his ability to put forth amiable collaborative solutions,” she said.

Kolb presented O’Konski with a silver clock, while the room laughed and joked about setting a very early alarm for the day after his retirement.

LM Director Carmelo Melendez followed Kolb by presenting O’Konski with a glass triangle frame that contained a blue flag, adorned with a white eagle, representing the Department of Energy.

“I’m very honored and humbled. I really am. I’m happy to be surrounded by friends and colleagues,” O’Konski said as he addressed the room of attendees and those attending virtually. “I am very proud to be a part of the DOE, and my tenure began with Secretary Abraham.

“That’s not Abraham Lincoln, by the way,” O’Konski joked. “It’s hard to believe it’s been seven secretaries since then. It has been a privilege to serve the Department. I always try to remind everyone that public service is more than a job, but a much bigger effort. Our is to make a positive difference, and I really appreciate my time at LM. LM has a very clear, defined mission, and when you understand what the mission is then you can continue to improve.”

Following a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Catholic University of America, a master’s degree in fire-protection engineering from the University of Maryland, and eventually a MBA in business from George Mason University, O’Konski had several positions within the U.S. military. Serving as the regional planning and programming director for the Naval District in Washington, D.C., until 2000, O’Konski led the planning and budgeting of the capital improvement and repair projects program and served as the department’s liaison to the Major Claimant.

From there, O’Konski served as the utilities director for the U.S. Navy Public Works Center for two years, successfully leading his department through a Commercial Activities Study before becoming chief engineer. In that post, O’Konski was responsible for all design and engineering services for Navy facilities throughout Washington.

In April 2004, he moved to DOE as the director of facility policy and professional development, then to director of the Office of Administration in 2011, before he was eventually promoted to deputy director of LM in 2018, where he has served ever since.

As deputy director of LM, O’Konski has provided leadership to DOE to fulfill post-closure responsibilities of LM sites and has continued to ensure the protection of human health and the environment.

O’Konski thanked the colleagues and friends who helped him along the way within the many departments of the DOE and across LM.

“Director Melendez sets a great tone for the organization, and that trickles down to others. I equate it to how a director of a jazz band operates,” O’Konski said. “He sets the tempo and brings together the musicians, but also allows us the freedom to interpret our work, supports the bandmates, and allows them to improve when they may miss a couple notes.”

“I’m very pleased to leave this organization with a lot of great musicians or cats, as they call them. There are a lot of great cats at LM who are talented, committed, and valued members of the band, and I know when the curtain goes up, they will make a great sound,” O’Konski said. “The show will go on. Thank you all for everything you do for the band.”