Lawrence Livermore celebrates employees with 50-plus years of service

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) recently honored a unique cohort of Laboratory employees: those who have worked at the Lab for more than 50 years, including those who will reach this milestone by the end of the year. The first-of-its-kind ceremony recognized the group’s incredible contributions over decades of commitment to the Lab’s missions. 

“It is amazing how many people are in this esteemed service class,” said LLNL Director Kim Budil in her opening remarks. “For half a century, you have contributed to one of the highest charges of our nation: ensuring U.S. national security and global stability and resilience through the tireless pursuit of innovative science and technology. I am deeply appreciative of your unwavering commitment to our missions, and I’m honored to celebrate you and your accomplishments.”

Seventeen in-person honorees and more than 200 guests, including loved ones and colleagues, gathered on-site for the celebration. Each honoree received a crystal awards sculpture commemorating the milestone.

“Part of the Lab’s impact lies in our legacy and the foundational work this cohort has been a part of to enable the Lab’s success today,” Budil said. “As evidenced by your outstanding 50-plus years of service, you have not only witnessed history, but also actively participated in shaping it.”

In the last five decades, honorees either witnessed or participated in some of the Lab’s major “firsts” and milestones, including the birth of inertial conferment fusion (1960), the naming of LLNL as a national laboratory by Congress (1979), the completion of the first draft of the human genome (2001) and most recently, the achievement of fusion ignition on Dec. 5, 2022.

Many recipients began their careers at the Laboratory and have had multi-career journeys throughout the decades: honoree Robert Sherwood first became involved with the Lab as a college student in the late ‘60s and later joined as an engineer, which has been his home ever since. “Being part of the Lab’s history and seeing what we have accomplished thus far only reassures my excitement for where we’re going and the indelible mark we will continue to have on the scientific and national security community,” he said.

Administrator Barbara Sherhoman shared a similar story — she first worked at Lawrence Livermore’s Site 300 in 1971 as a senior in high school. After a few years’ hiatus, she was rehired at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in 1975 and then transferred to LLNL in 1978. Her combined service at the two national laboratories tops 50 years, including a variety of administrative roles in Plant Engineering, Engineering, the Director’s Office and Strategic Deterrence, where she has worked for nearly 39 years. “Working at Lawrence Livermore has given me the opportunity to learn and grow with many colleagues and groups. I am proud to have seen many initiatives come to fruition and am excited for the Lab’s future,” she said.

Employees recognized in the celebration included:

• David Bailey
• Paul Breitenbucher
• George Chapline
• Leslie Carman
• Pat Grant
• Gordon Guenterberg
• Judy Harte
• Jim Hammer
• Jerry Johnson
• Joanne Levatin
• John Lindl
• Ken Manes
• John Nuckolls
• Mark Rotter
• Barbara Sherohman
• Bob Sherwood
• Don Smith
• Clark Souers
• Wigbert Siekhaus
• Linda Thorne
• George Zimmerman

Budil closed the ceremony by once again thanking the honorees.

“Your achievements are critical waypoints on the Lab’s journey to today, and your legacy will continue to guide and inspire generations to come,” she said. “On behalf of the entire Lab community, I extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you. Your dedication, impact, and contributions are invaluable.”

Photos from the event are available here. LLNL Service Awards program recognizes an employee’s years of service to the Laboratory. Visit the website for more information about the Laboratory’s Service Awards Program.