PNNL

Pete Tensmeyer, manager of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL’s) Safeguards and Security group, has been selected as the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science Outstanding Security Professional for 2022.  

The distinguished award recognizes federal and contractor employees who surpass expectations in their contribution to the DOE security community.

“This is a highly competitive award among all security professionals across the DOE national lab complex,” said James Smith, chief security officer at the Pacific Northwest Site Office. “What made Pete a standout is his consistent drive to improve security processes and systems at PNNL, and he also quickly adapts to a global changing security environment.”

Since 2019, Tensmeyer has led PNNL’s $22-million Safeguards and Security group and Management and Operations Program. The group is responsible for protecting PNNL’s facilities, property assets, information, and more than 6,000 employees while they are on the PNNL campuses located in Richland, Sequim, and Seattle, Washington, as well as Portland, Oregon.

“Pete’s astute management of personnel and equipment assets has enabled PNNL to secure its resources, while providing its employees a top-notch place to work. His close attention to the security disciplines at PNNL has markedly improved our security operations, working conditions, and overall physical security of the campus,” Smith added.

Tensmeyer has been working in the security field for more than 20 years. He previously was a technical group manager within PNNL’s National Security Directorate, a subsector and program manager for PNNL’s Global Threat Reduction Program, and a senior federal program manager and deputy office director with the National Nuclear Security Administration in Washington, D.C.

“It’s an honor to receive this award and to work with the outstanding team of professionals and support staff in PNNL’s Safeguards and Security programs and partner organizations across the Laboratory,” Tensmeyer said.

Winners receive a citation signed by DOE’s Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, director of the Office of Science.