Merna Hurd Selected As Associate Deputy Director for Strategic Operations

Merna Hurd has been named by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Director C. Bruce Tarter as Associate Deputy Director for Strategic Operations. Her appointment has been confirmed by the University of California Regents and the National Nuclear Security Administration.

"Merna brings added value to our senior management team," said Tarter. "Her qualifications are outstanding and our Lab will benefit from her experience and diverse background."

Hurd is currently the senior adviser to the Department of Energy. In her new role as associate deputy director, she will work closely with Deputy Director Michael Anastasio on the Lab’s external relations and internal operations issues.

"Merna’s unique experience in Washington and her background will be extremely valuable," said Anastasio.

As senior adviser to the Department of Energy, Hurd was responsible for program and policy direction, operational management and key project reviews. Prior to joining the Department of Energy, Hurd was the deputy group manager and operations manager for Science Applications International Corporation. She has also worked for Air & Water Technologies, Environmental Testing & Treatment Technologies and Clement and Associates. From 1977 to 1981, she served as associate deputy assistant administrator for Water Programs for the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC.

A registered professional engineer, Hurd holds a MS in sanitary engineering and a BS in civil engineering from the University of Nebraska.

She is a member of the advisory board for the Harvard School of Public Health and previously served as a member of the Environmental & Occupational Health Services Institute at Rutgers.

"I am looking forward to joining the Lab," said Hurd. "I have a lot of regard for Livermore and a lot of respect for the employees. They are extremely talented."

Hurd will begin her new assignment Aug. 6.