[All_staff] Message from the JLab Director: Our Vision Forward

[JLab Communications Office]

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR 

 


April 27, 2017


SUBJECT: Our Vision Forward 


 

Colleagues:

I wanted to take this opportunity to summarize the content of my recent
briefing to all staff for those who could not be there, and to reinforce
its message for those who were.  

 

I have come to Jefferson Lab at a pivotal time as we begin the
much-anticipated 12 GeV scientific program.  This high-priority program
has the strong support of the nuclear physics community, as outlined in
the recent Nuclear Science Advisory Committee (NSAC) Long Range Plan.   At
the same time, with the strong endorsement by NSAC, we are poised to take
a leading role in the advancement of an Electron Ion Collider, proposed as
the next major nuclear physics facility in the U.S.  In addition, the lab
brings unique capabilities in superconducting linear accelerator
technology, cryogenics, and sources that are essential to the success of
many of DOE's facilities and plans for the future.  It is indeed a
privilege to lead Jefferson Lab at this crucial time and it is a challenge
that I humbly and enthusiastically accept.

 

My vision for the lab is straightforward.  As the lab's primary mission,
the first goal is to enable the User community to conduct scientific
research, bringing forth new discoveries and advancements, making use of
our world-leading facility. We need to make sure that we deliver on the
scientific potential of the 12 GeV Upgrade, providing our international
User community with the tools needed to be successful in delivering
scientific results.   We need to plan and implement future initiatives
like MOLLER and SoLID that will capitalize on the 12 GeV investment and
capabilities. The second is to support the nuclear physics community's
future ambitions which chart an exciting path of scientific discovery
based on an Electron Ion Collider.  A new major facility will not move
forward unless the User community, DOE and Congress are aligned; and to do
this will require our leadership and active engagement with the community
and partners. The third is to put our unique capabilities to work
supporting the larger DOE mission, while also addressing societal needs.
We want to capitalize on our position as the "go-to" lab for
Superconducting RF, cryogenics, sources, as well as for our detector
technology.  We must deliver on our commitments to the exciting ongoing
LCLS-II and FRIB projects, and thereby continue to demonstrate our value
to DOE's larger mission.  At the same time, we must be aggressive in
exploring partnerships with other federal agencies and industry where we
have an opportunity to apply our technology and advances to yield societal
benefit. By focusing on these three activities we will be able to ensure a
healthy future for Jefferson Lab as we serve the critical needs of the
Nation.

 

This is the "what" of the work that lies ahead, but the "how" is just as
important. We must deliver efficient and effective laboratory operations
to make the most of our funding and to cement our credibility as a lab
that can deliver. 

 

Moving forward, I ascribe to seven guiding principles that I want to be an
integral part of our culture at Jefferson Lab:

.         We are here for the Science - This is our deliverable, and we
serve our User community to make that happen.

.         What we're doing is important and we are privileged to be able
to do it - Our work is important not only for the scientific community and
DOE, but for the taxpayers and our Nation.

.         We are a National Laboratory, funded by DOE, and must behave as
such - This means a commitment to the safest, most efficient operations
possible to achieve a high level of performance.  No schedule or milestone
is so important that safety, health or environmental responsibility can be
compromised.

.         We must be mindful of the customer - We are accountable to the
DOE and our user community.

.         We operate in a very competitive environment. We must constantly
look for ways to "up our game" - Always, we must demand the best from
ourselves and explore new ways to bring value and benefit.

.         We must be prepared to change and adapt - Survival of the
fittest is a scientific concept and one that applies to all federally
funded programs. We aspire to having our lab thrive, and that will require
that we adapt and change based on the environment, User needs, and
emerging technologies.

.         Ultimately, it's all about the people - Everyone plays an
important role in our overall success and it is essential that they know
their roles and responsibilities, and expectations and have the support
they need to be successful.

The lab has been very fortunate to have Mont as Director, with much to
show under his leadership, including the launch and now near-completion of
the 12 GeV Upgrade project, major expansion of the lab's technology
capabilities, and critical deliverables to important DOE projects.   These
are all accomplishments that position the lab well for the future. 

 

Another transition will take place when Andrew Hutton, who has served the
lab for almost 25 years, steps down from his position as Associate
Director for Accelerator Operations, Research and Development.  Under
Andrew's leadership our accelerator capabilities have thrived.  I am
pleased to report that Fulvia Pilat has agreed to serve as acting
Accelerator AD as a search is conducted. 

 

As we close the first month of my service to Jefferson Lab and enter into
May, I am closely following the budget situation and what it might mean
for our lab. The President's FY18 Budget Outline, or "Skinny Budget,"
projects a $900M reduction in the DOE Office of Science.  A final budget
package that will provide detail at the program/laboratory level is
anticipated in Congress in mid-May. We must be mindful that this is a
multi-step progression, and Congressional priorities will influence the
appropriations process. JSA is actively engaged with our stakeholders and
the larger scientific community to communicate the value of what we do and
its importance to the Nation.  During this time, we must maintain our
laser focus on safely and efficiently delivering on our scientific
mission.

 

I look forward to working with you and hope to meet and talk to more of
you over the coming weeks. I will be instituting several means by which we
can get together both formally and informally so that I can learn more
about you, what you do and discuss our shared vision of the lab and its
future.  

 

Jefferson Lab has tremendous people, capabilities, scientific future and
potential.  I feel very privileged to now be a part of this great
laboratory and its great team, and am confident that with us working
together we can deliver great results and chart a path toward a bright and
dynamic future.

 

Sincerely,

Stuart 

 


 

 


JEFFERSON LAB . 12000 JEFFERSON AVENUE . NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23608 . USA .
WWW.JLAB.ORG <http://WWW.JLAB.ORG> 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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