CNS announces leadership change: Morgan Smith named President and CEO

  • Posted: Thursday, January 14, 2016, 9:45 am

Effective Feb. 1, 2016, Morgan Smith will become the President and CEO of Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC. Smith succeeds Jim Haynes, who returns to an executive position at Bechtel after successfully leading CNS through its first phase as a consolidated organization. As President and CEO, Smith will be responsible for the management and operations of the Pantex Plant and the Y‑12 National Security Complex, key production facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise.

"With the majority of key consolidation activities complete, CNS moves to its next phase focused on advancing operational performance and increasing production," Haynes said. "Morgan Smith is uniquely positioned to lead CNS at this time based on his past experience managing Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program facilities and his time at CNS. Morgan and I have mapped out the path for a successful handoff. I could not be more confident in Morgan's abilities."

Smith, who has been the CNS COO since the company took over management of Pantex and Y‑12 on July 1, 2014, has 38 years of technical and managerial experience. Prior to coming to CNS, he was instrumental in planning and implementing the consolidation of Bettis and Knolls Atomic Power Laboratories into a single organization run by Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corporation. As general manager of Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory from 2009 through mid-2014, Smith directly managed the lab and co-managed BMPC-scope that included 7,000 employees and nearly $2 billion worth of work across five sites.

"I have great respect for the work performed by the dedicated employees of Pantex and Y‑12 — work that our great nation and her allies rely upon," Smith said. "I am committed to delivering the safety, security, quality and overall excellence that our country requires as we execute our important mission for the country. I also look forward to continuing the great relationships Jim Haynes developed with the communities of Amarillo and Oak Ridge and throughout the Texas Panhandle and East Tennessee."

Haynes arrived at Y‑12 from Bechtel in 2011, first serving as deputy general manager under the previous operating contractor. He became the first CNS President and CEO at the start of contract transition in early 2014. He is recognized as a leader in managing large organizations during times of consolidation and structural change and where safety is paramount.

"Jim Haynes led CNS through one of the most challenging transitions in NNSA history, joining two sites into one unified enterprise," said CNS Chairman of the Board Craig Albert. "Under Jim, CNS faced the challenges of consolidation head on and met key mission deliverables and milestones, improved project performance, and helped establish a strong capital project pipeline. CNS has developed a strong foundation with common goals, values and daily absolutes. He leaves CNS well positioned to meet the growing demands for providing global security and national defense well into the future."

Haynes will remain with CNS through the end of January to complete the transition of duties to Smith before beginning his new role with Bechtel on Feb. 1.

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