Biographies
James French
Project Manager
Jim French is a proven leader and problem solver, ideally suited to implement our team’s aggressive technical approach. He led the successful closure of the first two SRS High-Level Waste (HLW) tanks, during which time he accelerated inventory reduction of the tanks, improved Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) processing, and modified saltstone for Low-Level Waste (LLW) disposal. Most recently he brings proven experience from nearly three years at the Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP), where he has overall responsibility for tank closure and waste disposition. A practical, hands-on leader, he championed and led implementation of pilot-scale tests of the steam reforming process for ICP’s Integrated Waste Treatment Unit not only proving technology but avoiding technical problems later in the project cycle. Jim’s experience at ICP offers an infusion of new ideas and practical solutions for SRS’s LWO mission.
Dave Olson
Operations Manager
Dave Olson is an exceptional leader at SRS known for staying ahead of problems, making the best use of resources, and directing record-breaking achievements. He successfully led WSRC’s LW program throughout 2007. Over the past 5 years— first as Operations Manager, then as Executive Vice President—Dave accomplished all DOE contract and project objectives for $1.5B in scope, and he did it safely and within budget and schedule. Dave brings our team exceptional experience in safety, change management, and cost performance.
Wyatt Clark
Tank Farm Operations Manager
Wyatt Clark has had an outstanding record of base operations, including project completion throughout his 24-year career at SRS. From 1998 until mid-2007 he safely managed three facilities to store and process HLW and logged over 4,000 radioactive waste transfers totaling 78M gallons. His operations safely and securely handled 57% of all internal transfers at F and H tank farms and 83% of inter-area transfers. During this time he managed waste removal activities from five non-compliant waste tanks.
Victor Franklin
Waste Determinations Manager
Victor Franklin is a demonstrated leader, motivator, and strategic thinker with a proven track record of quickly assessing problems and providing quality, innovative, customer-focused solutions. He has in-depth knowledge and experience with the entire Waste Determination process and with all involved parties. As a former enforcement attorney with the EPA, he has tremendous depth and breadth of environmental experience, including resolving multi-million dollar cleanups involving federal and state regulators and third parties.
Mark Hasty
Waste Removal and Tank Closure Manager
Mark Hasty brings 21 years of technical and management experience in the nuclear industry—U.S. Navy, other government, and commercial fuel cycle—as well as hands-on tank farm expertise. He has nine years of continuous experience on the Hanford Tank Farm project, rising from Authorization Basis (AB) Compliance Manager to his current position as Deputy Vice President and Senior Operations Director for Waste Feed Operations, including storage, retrieval, and operations for the existing underground double-shell tank system.
Steve Wilkerson
DWPF Operations Manager
Steve Wilkerson brings a new perspective to Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) based on his in-depth site knowledge. As facility manager, he introduced fresh ideas and a new management style, resulting in significant success. He was involved in DWPF’s initial startup, where he gained valuable knowledge and insights through his work in operator training and certification and development of processes and procedures. He has surpassed safety and production expectations by encouraging creativity and instilling a culture of empowerment.
Cliff Winkler
Engineering Manager
Cliff Winkler brings three decades of vitrification engineering, production engineering, and tank closure experience—likely the only person in the U.S. with this combination of expertise. At West Valley Demonstration Project (WVDP) from 1987 to 2001, Cliff was involved from the start in engineering WVDP’s vitrification plant. He has led teams of 200 to 300 engineers in designing DOE’s largest high-level waste vitrification and low-activity waste pretreatment facilities.
Patricia Allen
ESH&QA Manager
Patricia Allen understands the technical and regulatory complexities at SRS that is gained through a series of management positions covering operations support, operations training, waste certification, H Tank Farm facility support, and technical services engineering. She is recognized throughout the DOE complex for excellence in ESH&Q, waste management, and regulatory compliance. Under her leadership, WSRC achieved its best all-around safety performance in 2006 and 2007, received VPP Legacy of Stars status, and had no findings from external permit audits in three years.
Sandra Fairchild
Planning, Administration, and Business Services Manager
Sandra Fairchild is a proven leader with over 25 years of diversified financial experience in the fields of technical planning and controls management, procurement, contracts administration, accounting, and governmental negotiations. She has demonstrated exemplary leadership in times of change, successfully guiding WSRC through significant financial challenges. Sandra has proven abilities in strategic planning and business operations.