Episode 3: Collaborating to Support the Office of Science and the National Labs

This episode of the EFCOG Exchange Podcast explores EFCOG’s work with the Office of Science and DOE’s 17 National Laboratories.    

EFCOG Board Member and Battelle Executive Vice President of National Laboratory Management & Operations Juan Alvarez joins Mike Nartker, VP of Communications at Longenecker & Associates, a Geosyntec Company to discuss opportunities for EFCOG to collaborate with other organizations like the National Laboratory Directors' Council (NLDC) to share best practices.  Juan also discusses the exciting work happening at DOE Labs across the complex, including the work being done to support the Genesis Mission.   

Stay tuned for future episodes of the EFCOG Exchange Podcast, where we’ll continue spotlighting innovation, collaboration, and success across the DOE enterprise.

Chapters

• 1:33 Juan describes his current role at Battelle and explains how the national labs apply science and technology to advance DOE’s mission and deliver benefits for the nation.
• 5:17 Juan names the seven DOE labs managed or co-managed by Battelle and discusses the DOE programs they support.
• 9:15 Juan shares his personal history working with EFCOG, including his previous service as Vice Chair and recent return to the Board. He also discusses the value EFCOG provides to DOE/NNSA and its member companies.
• 13:05 Juan and Mike discuss the challenges and opportunities of supporting DOE given the breadth of programs and diversity of equities involved in executing its mission.
• 16:00 Juan and Mike examine the similarities and differences between the National Laboratory Directors’ Council (NLDC) and EFCOG, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
• 27:30 Mike and Juan shift their focus to the benefits of using digital tools to enhance productivity, along with the barriers to implementing these tools across the complex.
• 31:09 Juan shares ideas for EFCOG and its member companies to support the Genesis Mission, including advocating for the use of AI applications and sharing best practices for successful implementation.
• 36:12 Juan tells a personal story about his first visit to a DOE site