A Conversation With... Harold Conner

(Editor’s note: The transition to management by Lawrence Livermore National Security has brought a few new as well as some familiar faces to the Lab's senior management. Newsline features "A Conversation with…" a series of profiles on the Laboratory’s new leadership. This week, meet Harold Conner.)

What you wanted to be when you were a child:

From a very young age I wanted to be a chemical engineer. I was one of those lucky ones who knew what I wanted to do. My dad was a high school science teacher and principal in Martin, Tenn. My mother was a second-grade teacher.

First job:

I picked cotton. I picked a lot more cotton than I wanted to. At that time, the school calendar worked around the harvest. If you were good you could pick 100 pounds of cotton a day, which earned you $3.

Guiding principle:

Demonstrate leadership. I've read a lot of books about leadership. Good leaders challenge the status quo, inspire a shared vision, enable others to act (teamwork), model the way (lead by example), and leaders encourage the heart.

Work philosophy:

I believe teamwork and safety are paramount. It's important to involve others in making decisions. That's my ticket to success.

Best decision:

I turned down other offers to remain at the Oak Ridge K25 Site. Deciding to stay ensured I became an integral part of tiger team preparations which was critical for the continued viability of the site. At the time I thought I might be missing an opportunity, but it turned out to be a good decision.

Early challenges:

I was a big jock in high school. I was offered basketball scholarships, but I chose to stay at home in Martin, Tenn., at the University of Tennessee campus there because I wanted to study chemical engineering. When Ientered the University of Tennessee Martin in 1963, I wanted to play on the basketball team as a walk-on. But the coach told my father and me he couldn't take me because of all the teams in the southern conference they played. The team was all-white. The next year, however, the coach asked my father for help in recruiting black players.

I was the first African American engineering student at the university and the first student in the coop program at the Oak Ridge K-25 Site. Under the program students worked a quarter and attended school a quarter for almost three years. There was still segregation then. I got called the "N" word and rocks were thrown at me. But I also had people who took me under their wing and really helped me. It was balanced and I have no bitterness about the experience. I've seen a lot of change.

Career highlight:

It's hard to point to one thing. I would say it's my shelf life. I've seen and done most everything in this business and I'm still viable. People still seek my counsel and advice. I'm enjoying what I'm doing right now. I'm living in the moment.

Career low point:

The worst feeling I ever had was a fatality at the Oak Ridge K-25 Site; a welder who was a friend of mine and had known for over 30 years. It was at a time of stress when the future was uncertain and there were layoffs. That was the moment I felt the lowest in my career. I talked to the family. When something like that happens, everything else pales in comparison. You really find out what's important. I learned about the healing process that has to happen.

Word or phrase that best describes you:

I'm a striver. I'm never ever satisfied and I'm always striving to do better. I'm working on my Ph.D. at age 62.

Interests/hobbies:

We're building a home in Knoxville. I never realized how complicated it is to design and build a home. I'm learning lessons in patience, humility, and project management. I also enjoy gardening and playing golf when I have time.

Heroes:

Winston Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower, Martin Luther King Jr., Booker T. Washington, mom and dad and anybody with exceptional leadership qualities.

Favorite movies:

I've always loved Clint Eastwood western films.

Person you'd most like to meet:

Martin Luther King Jr. I really believe in the things he believed in.

Pet peeves:

Lack of accountability. I expect people to be accountable. I look for that in people. I look for people who seek input from the team and take responsibility for their part.

Best vacation ever:

The best vacation was when my oldest son got married. Finally! We vacationed in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

How do you deal with stress:

I always view the glass as half full not half empty. People tell me I have the gift of a calm and soothing voice. I try not to have the highs and lows; I try to stay balanced. And in stressful situations I quickly snap back. I always try to keep things in perspective.

Best Advice:

Lincoln Hall, a colleague with Lockheed Martin, taught me the importance of accountability.

Characteristic you most admire in people:

Those who demonstrate the leadership skills I mentioned earlier; people who challenge the status quo.

Least:

People who won't take the time to work as part of a team.

Next career goal:

I'm not one to ride off into the sunset. I simply can't picture not being involved in some way with the work I have been doing for my entire career.