OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — The director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the President of UT-Battelle announced Tuesday that he would be retiring at the end of 2022.
"I knew the day would come to bid farewell to all of you. I knew it would be difficult. When times are tough, you cannot leave. When times are better, you don’t want them to end," said Thomas Zacharia in an email to ORNL staff obtained by 10News.
He worked with the national laboratory for 35 years and spent 5 years leading it. He helped lead ORNL through the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating a complex transition into remote work for many employees. He started serving as director of ORNL on July 1, 2017.
"Today, it feels like the right time," he said in the email to staff. "We are coming out of a generational pandemic. Energy transitions and climate change are among the most compelling challenges of our time. This is our moment, to make a difference, to change the world. Don’t let anything hold you back."
He oversaw the operation of a high-power proton accelerator and a nuclear reactor. According to the national laboratory, ORNL employs more than 5,700 people and has an annual budget of more than $2.4 billion.
Zacharia started at ORNL in 1987 as a postdoctoral researcher. He later created the Materials Modeling and Simulation Group, before being named the director of the Computer Science and Mathematics Division in 1998. He worked his way up to Deputy for Science and Technology, overseeing the laboratory's research and development programs before being named director.
The board of governors with UT-Battelle will soon begin searching for the next director, according to his email.
"I want to especially thank my wife, Sindhu, and our children, Nia and Shaun. I could not have gone through the ups and downs of the last 35 years without their love, support, and patience," he said in the email. "I hope to pursue other interests in my life, but I am certain nothing will ever be as much a part of me as this Laboratory and all of you who make it such a special place."
Lt. Governor Randy McNally also spoke about his retirement. A full statement is available below.
“Dr. Thomas Zacharia has been an outstanding leader for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Over his long and distinguished career, the lab has seen many changes and evolutions. His contributions to the success of the lab are truly immeasurable. His retirement is well-deserved and I wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.”