AIKEN, S.C. - EM has named Michael D. Budney as the new manager for the Savannah River Operations Office. He succeeds Jack Craig, who is retiring after 32 years of federal service, including 29 years of leadership in the environmental cleanup program.
Budney brings to the Savannah River Site (SRS) 20 years of senior leadership experience while serving in the U.S. Navy, the departments of Defense and Energy, the private sector. He retired from the military as a captain and served as an officer aboard four submarines and three ships over a 29-year military career.
“Mike is highly respected for his leadership," said James Owendoff, EM Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary. “Through those skills, he is well positioned to lead the Savannah River team, run operations and manage the site."
In his major command, Budney spent two years as commanding officer of the USS Emory S. Land. In that post, he commanded 1,200 sailors and directed computer and communications systems, electrical, electronic, mechanical, propulsion plant and nuclear maintenance on Navy submarines and surface ships operating throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Budney also served 2 ½ years as commanding officer of the USS Pennsylvania, an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, where he was responsible for all aspects of ship and nuclear propulsion plant operations. The vessel was awarded Battle Efficiency “E" for superior operational performance.
Most recently, Budney was director of the Office of Business Operations in the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. He led the office’s workforce planning, information technology, and project management efforts, and coordinated support service contract and acquisition activities.
Craig announced his retirement effective Feb. 28.
“I tell people that the DOE manager position at SRS is the best job in DOE - and it is true," he said. “SRS has important and challenging missions, a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, productive collaboration with our regulators, and an outstanding partnership with the community."
Craig also served as acting Associate Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for EM at DOE headquarters; director of the EM Consolidated Business Center in Cincinnati; and deputy manager of the DOE Ohio Field Office, where he was responsible for the management, cleanup, and restoration of the Fernald, Mound, Battelle-Columbus and Ashtabula sites, and the West Valley Demonstration Project.
“It will be tough to see Jack go. Under his leadership, Savannah River has achieved impressive milestones, including closing of Tank 16, the completion of the 33-million gallon SDU (Saltstone Disposal Unit) 6 ahead of schedule and under budget, and the completed construction of the Salt Waste Processing Facility," Owendoff said. “To Jack, I say we’ll miss you and a job well done."
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
