U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management Deputy Director Peter O’Konski received the Secretary’s Exceptional Service Award upon his retirement after 35 years of federal service.
Department of Energy Chief Sustainability Officer Ingrid Kolb presented O’Konski with the award for his dedication and service to the department and the nation during a ceremony Dec. 6, 2022, in Washington, D.C., a Jan. 10 news release said. The award was signed by Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.
“It is my honor to present to Peter O’Konski, our esteemed colleague, the Secretary’s Exceptional Service Award,” Kolb read aloud from the award, according to the release. “In recognition of over 35 years of federal service at the U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, Mr. Peter J. O’Konski has spent the last four years at the Office of Legacy Management as deputy director. He has garnered numerous awards and accolades for his work ethic, and the quality of service he consistently delivered to customers throughout his career.”
Kolb said O’Konski made many achievements and improvements in his federal career, the release reported.
“He has been instrumental in improving long-term sustainability of environmental remedies, utilizing his expert knowledge and his willingness to address complex and often controversial issues and his ability to put forth amiable collaborative solutions,” Kolb said in the release.
O’Konski served in several positions in the U.S. military, including as regional planning and programming director for the Naval District in Washington, D.C., until 2000 and the utilities director and chief engineer for the U.S. Navy Naval Public Works Center, the release reported. He became director of facility policy and professional development at the Department of Energy in April 2004. He became director of the Office of Administration in 2011 and became deputy director of Legacy Management in 2018.
O’Konski has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering , a master’s degree in fire-protection engineering and an MBA in business, according to the release.
“I’m very honored and humbled. I really am. I’m happy to be surrounded by friends and colleagues,” O’Konski said in the release. “I am very proud to be a part of the DOE, and my tenure began with Secretary Abraham. That’s not Abraham Lincoln, by the way.”
O’Konski said it has been his privilege to serve the department, according to the release.
“I always try to remind everyone that public service is more than a job, but a much bigger effort. Our is to make a positive difference, and I really appreciate my time at LM. LM has a very clear, defined mission, and when you understand what the mission is then you can continue to improve,” O’Konski said in the release.
O’Konski equated how Carmelo Melendez, program office director for the Office of Legacy Management, “sets a great tone” similar to that of a jazz director, the release reported.
“He sets the tempo and brings together the musicians, but also allows us the freedom to interpret our work, supports the bandmates and allows them to improve when they may miss a couple notes,” O’Konski said in the release. “I’m very pleased to leave this organization with a lot of great musicians or cats, as they call them. There are a lot of great cats at LM who are talented, committed and valued members of the band, and I know when the curtain goes up, they will make a great sound. The show will go on. Thank you all for everything you do for the band.”
