DOE names Laura Wilkerson as Oak Ridge’s deputy manager for environmental cleanup

Oak Ridge, Tenn. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today the selection of Laura Wilkerson as the deputy manager of the Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management’s (OREM). Previously, Wilkerson served as the director of the organization’s Planning and Execution Division. She brings more than 25 years of federal service to the position.

OREM is responsible for environmental cleanup across the 32,400-acre Oak Ridge Reservation. Specifically, Wilkerson will oversee the daily operations needed to perform environmental cleanup and stewardship, decontamination and decommissioning activities, waste processing and management, surveillance and maintenance programs, and procurement and contract functions.

In her previous role, she oversaw all planning and execution activities related to the cleanup at Oak Ridge’s three primary sites—the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP), Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

“We are very fortunate to have Laura help lead our organization forward as we begin crucial new phases of cleanup at Y-12 and ORNL,” said OREM Manager Jay Mullis. “She brings an extensive amount of experience and in-depth knowledge about both of those sites, our employees, vision, goals, and challenges, and she will use that to ensure we maintain our momentum.”

During her tenure with OREM, Wilkerson served as a portfolio federal project director for cleanup and waste management activities at Y-12 and transuranic waste disposition. She also served as the portfolio federal project director for the $630 million OREM received in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for cleanup and remediation at ORNL and Y-12—directing the successful completion of more than 30 projects. She has also served as the deputy federal project director for the Uranium-233 Disposition Project.

Wilkerson began her career with DOE at the ORNL Site Office as a program manager for facilities and infrastructure programs. She later served as program manager in the Reindustrialization Program, an innovative effort to convert a former government-owned uranium enrichment complex into a private sector industrial park. Prior to joining OREM, she served as senior technical advisor to DOE’s Oak Ridge Operations manager and to the assistant manager for Oak Ridge Nuclear Energy Programs.

Laura is a certified Level III Contracting Officer’s Representative and Level III Federal Project Director and holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. She is also qualified as a Senior Technical Safety Manager (STSM) under the DOE Technical Qualification Program.

“It’s an honor to continue working alongside Oak Ridge’s outstanding men and women who are transforming the region and setting the standard for cleanup nationwide,” said Wilkerson. “I’m excited to begin serving in this new role and helping OREM continue its progress advancing safety, creating new economic opportunities, and enabling DOE’s important ongoing missions locally.” 

Laura and her husband, Mark, have two daughters Andrea, (19) and Gabriella (13).