Scott Whiteford admits he was following his wife’s lead when he moved to Maryland more than 30 years ago. “She was going to Colorado State [University], getting her Ph.D., and when it was time for her to get a real job, we moved to Maryland and I've been here since," said U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management Deputy Director Scott Whiteford.
Whiteford’s first job in the “real world" was in U.S. Navy real estate. As a base closure officer, he oversaw property transfers from the Navy to the U.S. General Services Administration for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
“When I was with the Navy, as part of the base closure process, they had what they called ‘local reuse authority.’ So, it's similar to community reuse organizations in the Department of Energy," Whiteford said.
As he reflects on his career path, he says each job serendipitously prepared him for the next. “You'd work directly with stakeholders, including local community groups, state and local governments, and politicians, to deal with the issues associated with environmental remediation and beneficial reuse."
He didn’t know it at the time, but these skills would prepare him for his future position with DOE Community Reuse Organizations.
“After I worked for the Navy, I worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as the Director of Real Estate for the Army," Whiteford said. In that role, he led 850 team members in 40 locations worldwide. In 2014, Whiteford joined DOE Office of Asset Management, where he oversaw policy oversight and guidance in real estate, facilities and infrastructure, personal property, and sustainability.
Whiteford experienced a major career highlight during his time with OAM: He was part of the team that wrote the memorandum of agreement with the National Park Service for the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. In fact, he managed logistics for the signing ceremony with the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of the Interior in November 2015.
“I tell people that's one of the neatest things I've done," Whiteford said. “I've done base closures before, but actually getting to start something up? That was unique."
Fast forward to January 2023 when Whiteford began his new position as LM deputy director. His first several weeks were filled with travel and touring sites around the United States. Whiteford said the sites’ sheer range and diversity are poised to create another career highlight.
“The view of the world changes depending upon the seat you're sitting in. The fact that we have boots on the ground at these sites and influence what happens in the communities is a big deal."
