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Parney Albright steps down as Laboratory director, Bret Knapp appointed acting director

Parney Albright announced today that he is stepping down as director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory at the end of October 2013 to pursue his broader interests and contributions to the U.S. national security enterprise. Albright has served as Laboratory director since December 2011.

Albright also steps down as president of Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS), which manages the Laboratory for the Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration.

In a meeting before employees, Albright announced "I cannot express in words how much of an honor it has been for me to work with you, and to see you continue to grow and flourish as a national security laboratory to make a difference for our Nation."

Norman Pattiz, chairman of the LLNS Board of Governors, indicated in a memo distributed to all employees: "The LLNS Board respects and accepts Parney's decision and appreciates his many contributions to LLNL and the nation ... Parney has been a strong advocate and spokesman for expanding the contributions of LLNL to the entire spectrum of Lab programs and has brought about significant advancements in how the Laboratory executes work for interagency sponsors."

Pattiz advised that a national search for a new Laboratory director would be conducted under the leadership of the University of California. In the interim, the LLNS Board of Governors has approved the appointment of Bret Knapp, principal associate director for weapons programs at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), as acting LLNL director and LLNS president effective Nov. 1, 2013.

Knapp is a recognized expert in national security with 26 years of work experience at LLNL in programmatic roles of increasing responsibility before he joined the senior management team at LANL in 2006. "He is an energetic and passionate leader with 33 years of combined experience between the two Labs," Pattiz said.

In addressing LLNL employees, Knapp said: "I am honored to be selected by the LLNS Board of Governors to serve during this transition period until a permanent successor is named. I would also like to acknowledge Director Albright for his hard work and dedication to the people and programs at LLNL. Livermore is a vital national security institution, and I will work to continue and grow its cutting edge science and engineering programs."

Knapp has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California, Davis.