Steven Patterson Selected as Associate Director for Engineering (click on image for high-resolution, downloadable photo)

Steven Patterson, a distinguished professor of Precision Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and former laboratory employee, has been selected as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's new Associate Director for Engineering.

The appointment, made by LLNL Director Michael Anastasio has been confirmed by the University of California and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

"Steve Patterson is very well-respected in the field of engineering," said Director Michael Anastasio. "As a former employee, he is also very familiar with Laboratory operations. He will be a wonderful addition to our senior management team."

In his new position, Patterson will lead more than 2200 engineers, designers, technicians, machinists and other personnel in the Engineering Directorate. Projects often involve the simultaneous integration of multiple technologies - from large-scale, complex applied physics systems to micro-scale engineering and the engineering of large complex mechanical, electrical and optical systems.

"I believe that Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is one of the technical crown jewels of the country," said Steven Patterson. "It is an exciting time at the Lab and it is a great opportunity and a great responsibility to be able to lead the Engineering organization."

Patterson officially replaces Glenn Mara in the role of Associate Director for Engineering. In 2002, Mara was named Deputy Director for Operations. Two acting associate directors - Jens Mahler and Jeffrey Williams - have filled the role since then. Patterson has a Ph.D and M.S. in Applied Science from the University of California at Davis. He has a B.S. in Physics from the California Institute of Technology. He joined LLNL in 1979 as deputy project leader in engineering. During his tenure at the Lab, he held a number of other positions, including section leader for fabrication technology, associate program leader for research/precision engineering and division leader/materials fabrication division. He also served as the program leader for the Brilliant Pebbles Test Program. In 1993, he joined the University of North Carolina at Charlotte as the United Dominion Industries Distinguished Professor of Precision Engineering.

Patterson has been awarded five patents and has an extensive publication and awards list. He is a charter member of the American Society for Precision Engineering and a fellow in SPIE, the optical engineering society.

Patterson and his wife Marsha have been married 35 years and have two grown children and one grandchild. In his spare time, Patterson enjoys woodworking, gardening and camping.

Founded in 1952, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is a national security laboratory, with a mission to ensure national security and apply science and technology to the important issues of our time. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is managed by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.

Laboratory news releases and photos are also available electronically on the World Wide Web of the Internet at URL http://www.llnl.gov/PAO and on UC Newswire.