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Argonne News recently interviewed Hermann Grunder, Argonne's new director. Grunder, 69, was previously director of the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.
Q. What attracted you to the job as Argonne's director?
A. Argonne is a very good laboratory. It's the oldest national laboratory, with a lot of very outstanding and interesting research set in a beautiful place, with good people. This, in combination with the renewed interest the University of Chicago has shown in Argonne, and its willingness to play a role in creating a vision for the future of the laboratory, is quite an attraction.
Secondly, there are some emerging initiatives, like nanophase materials and the Rare Isotope Accelerator, where Argonne will have a leading role. For a laboratory director, it makes for an irresistible combination of opportunities.
Q. What's your leadership style? And can you cite an example?
A. "Primus inter pares." ("First among equals.") This provides for a person who makes the decision when a consensus cannot be reached. When it comes to important, scientific aspects, you want to hear all the arguments. In some cases, I would like to convince people of the appropriateness of an action. But often, leadership requires that out of many good ideas, you may sometimes have to choose just one in order to move forward.
While there are many examples in the day-to-day operations of a laboratory, the most famous example was when we changed the technology at Jefferson Lab, choosing to make the machine superconducting. In 1985, superconducting radio-frequency technology was at a promising beginning. In looking at the possibilities and potential, it came down to a consensus decision: this is the direction we want to go.
Here, at Argonne, with the proposed Rare Isotope Accelerator, we will want to work with Michigan State University, which has a great interest in the machine. While Argonne holds some aces in terms of experience, I hope we can work together to reach a consensus on what the right thing is for the field. That's an example of where consensus must be built outside the laboratory. We shouldn't be isolationist in our decision-making.
Q. What do you see as your main challenges?
A. Scientists and engineers, by their very nature, devote their lives very uniquely to progress in their fields. The laboratory director's job is to provide an arena in which they can play as big a role as possible, by minimizing the impact of budgetary limitations, regulatory limitations, and other considerations other than pursuit of the best science. I hope to build that type of environment in order to take full advantage of the highly talented, motivated and creative people here.
Q. Do you have long-range goals for the laboratory?
A. Oh, yes. I have both institutional goals and scientific goals. From my point of view, there is simply nothing in the way, with the help and involvement of the University of Chicago, of making Argonne the best laboratory. Given the combination of a top university and a laboratory with such a distinguished history, we have no excuse not to be the best. You can call this a stretch goal, if you like, but that has to be the goal. In the future of DOE's system of national laboratories, nothing but the best will do. I will have failed if Argonne is an also-ran laboratory.
I believe that the University of Chicago has a lot to contribute. It's up to the vice president for research and me to create effective mechanisms for working together. We need to tap those intellectual resources for the benefit of both institutions, not forgetting that the laboratory is an institution in its own right, with a life of its own.
As for individual goals for individual fields, I hope you'll let me off the hook for the moment until I understand more.
Q. How can Argonne employees help you in this transition?
A. We have a highly qualified staff at Argonne, whom I represent. In order to effectively represent them, I need to understand what their strengths are, and what the environment is like. I expect it will take a few months of intense interaction with the leadership and with individuals to gain that understanding.
What I like best is for staff to give me the story, the whole story! I want to hear problems and "bad news" too. Knowing and understanding an issue is the first step toward addressing and solving problems. The more knowledge I have, the more completely I can understand the issues of individuals and groups, the more I can help. This way we can work together to make the entire laboratory successful.
My policy has always been one of an open door. It worked with 600 employees and about 400 visitors [at Jefferson Lab], so I am not sure what will happen with 4,000 people. But I believe strongly that there is no substitute for the open door. I will work with employees to identify ways of opening communication such as brown bag lunches, where we sit together with groups who have a certain set of interests or issues they want to discuss with me.
In return, I hope I get from the employees the good, the bad and the ugly, in as concise a form as possible.
Q. Anything else you'd like the people of Argonne to know?
A. First, I am excited about the challenges ahead. We are going to have great times, we will surely hit some rocks, we're going to work to overcome obstacles.
To do this will take a team effort, and I ask you to please work with me. Give me the benefit of the doubt if I don't understand something, and I will do the same for you. I will be loud and clear if I disagree, and we can work together to resolve problems.
The other thought I would really like you to appreciate is that we are spending public money. This is one of the most beautiful things anyone can be entrusted with, and it is a sacred trust.
Here is a nation, a very powerful, and prosperous nation, that tells us we can do research with one goal, and one goal only: to do the best science and technology that we know how. We need to work within DOE to be always mindful and respect that public trust.
Alvin M. Weinberg, director emeritus of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), will speak at a Director's Special Colloquium Friday, Nov. 17, in the Advanced Photon Source Conference Center, Building 402, at 3 p.m. Weinberg's talk is titled, "Does Nuclear Energy Have a Future?"
Weinberg has been involved with nuclear energy issues throughout his career, beginning with work at the University of Chicago's Met Lab in 1942. He served at ORNL for 29 years, and was laboratory director from 1955 until 1974.
Two World War II aircraft, a B-25 bomber and a P-51 Mustang fighter, will roar over the Argonne-East site to mark the start of a Veteran's Recognition Day Program Thursday, Nov. 9.
The ground-based part of the program will begin at noon in the Advanced Photon Source Conference Center Auditorium, Building 402.
The program will include remarks by Argonne Director Hermann Grunder, Robert L. San Martin, manager of the U.S. Department of Energy's Chicago Operations Office and Col. Jill Morgenthaler, U.S. Army Reserve (ECT).
George Muszynski (ECT) will present a tribute to prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action, and Marjorie Brockman (OCF) will read military poetry.
Fred J. Olivi, lt. col., U.S. Air Force (retired), will present the keynote speech "Decision at Nagasaki: The Mission That Almost Failed." Olivi was a crew member on the B-29 that dropped a nuclear bomb on Nagasaki in the final days of World War II.
Argonne-West employees are helping celebrate National Chemistry Week, Nov. 5-11, with displays at the Idaho site and outreach programs in area communities.
National Chemistry Week is a program of the American Chemical Society (ACS) aimed at enhancing awareness of the contributions of chemistry to everyday life and in the nation's economy. This year's theme, "Kitchen Chemistry," focuses on the many connections between chemistry and cooking. National Chemistry Week is celebrated nationwide by 188 ACS local sections, industrialists, educators and promoters of chemistry awareness the first week of November.
A week-long display has been set up in the lobby of Argonne-West's Laboratory and Office building, where several promotional items and handouts will be available. Argonne-West ACS members will be available during lunch to answer questions about National Chemistry Week and to hand out materials.
Argonne-West chemist Mary Adamic (NT), local National Chemistry Week coordinator, said the display at Argonne-West is only one of the many activities planned for southeastern Idaho.
These activities include building two displays and performing more than 30 hands-on experiments for patrons at the Idaho Falls Public Library, and a "Chemical Magic" show and displays at local universities and colleges. During November, Adamic and Kevin Carney (NT) will be leading hands-on activities with local elementary, junior high and middle school students.
For more information about Idaho Section National Chemistry Week activities, contact Adamic at ext. 3-7858.
A new Web site gives Argonne employees instant access to key policy and procedure manuals issued by the laboratory's Operations (OPS) divisions.
The new Policies and Procedures System provides revision notification, search and retrieval capabilities and an easy-to-use interface for 19 OPS manuals. The online system was spearheaded by Acting Chief Operations Officer Rudy Bouie and was created by the Information and Publishing Division (IPD).
Eventually, all "tier 2" OPS manuals will be added to the system. Tier 2 manuals implement the policies stated in Argonne's Policy Manual.
In contrast to paper-based systems, Argonne's new, web-based Policies and Procedures System ensures that up-to-date versions of the OPS manuals are readily available via the Argonnet by clicking the "Employee Manuals & Handbooks" link or by going directly to http://www.aim.anl.gov/manuals/. Use is restricted to those with access to the Argonne Intranet.
The Policies and Procedures System offers a number of advantages:
Employees can search for words and phrases within any
one manual or set of manuals, or even across all manuals in the system.
Users can search for revisions by time period,
relevance, section number, or revision date. Through a subscription
option, users can be notified automatically via e-mail whenever
the manuals they are interested in are revised; notification
will include a brief summary of the changes made.
The use of standard formats and a common set of
navigational tools makes the Policies and Procedures System easy to use.
The new system also provides Web links to related
resources and access to online forms.
The online manuals are the current, official version of each document, ensuring convenient access to policy information for all employees. Printed paper copies are being provided to employees whose work, as determined by their managers, still requires the more traditional medium.
Employees with questions and concerns about the new online manuals system should contact the system coordinator, John DePue (IPD), at ext. 2-3160 or jdepue@anl.gov.
Argonne Policy Manual
Budget Handbook
Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan - Argonne-East
Controller's Manual
Employee Handbook - Argonne-East and Employee Handbook - Argonne-West
Environment, Safety and Health Manual -
Argonne-East
Human Resources Policy and Procedure Manual
Hoisting and Rigging Manual
Laboratory Committees manual
Manual of Construction --Argonne-East, the
Materials Manual
Procurement Operations Manual
Project Management Manual
Publications Manual
Special Materials User's Guide
Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan
Travel and Relocation Policy and Procedure Manual
Waste Handling Procedures Manual.
A representative from CIGNA will be available for appointments at Argonne-East Thursday, Nov. 16, from 9:20 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Employees who have a medical claim issue or questions about how the medical claim unit operates can call for an appointment. To schedule a meeting with the representative, call Fran Perri (HR) at ext. 2-2989.
A representative from the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company ("MetLife") will visit Argonne-East Tuesday, Nov. 14, and Tuesday, Nov. 21, to meet with individual employees for insurance comparisons and quotes for the "METPAY" group automobile and homeowners' insurance program.
To schedule an appointment, call (630) 810-0346, ext. 143. Before each appointment, employees should fax their auto policy renewal statements to Craig Riddick at (630) 810-1628.
Drivers exiting the Argonne-East site at East Gate now have to come to a complete stop before turning onto Cass Ave. A stop sign has replaced the yield sign previously at that intersection.
The sign was changed because of the amount of traffic on Cass Avenue, the number of employees using the East Gate exit and the number of near-accidents observed there.
"Holiday appetizers" are on the menu at cooking classes to be taught at Argonne-East by Chris Kaminski, Argonne Guest House executive chef. The class will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, and again on Thursday, Nov. 16.
Participants will watch, and taste the results, as Kaminski prepares crab cakes with remoulade sauce, cheese puffs, shrimp and spinach dip, red and yellow Thai sticks and eggnog pound cake.
Class size is limited. The cost is $23 per person, cash, check or charge, with payment due at registration. Mail payment to Kathy, Argonne Guest House, Building 460, or drop off in person. The last day to register for the Nov. 13 class is Wednesday, Nov. 8; the last day to register for the Nov. 16 class is Monday, Nov. 13.
The Argonne Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) will host a fall fashion show Thursday, Nov. 9, at noon in Argonne-East's Building 362 Auditorium.
Contributions raised at "An Afternoon of Elegance: Fashions for All Occasions" will be applied toward two student scholarships in 2001.
Tickets are $3 and can also be purchased in the Building 213 Cafeteria Wednesday, Nov. 8, or by calling Elaine London at ext. 2-3180.
Human Resources will offer classes in program development and personal productivity in November at Argonne-East.
"Successful Self-Management" (HR237) is a
brown-bag lunch seminar focusing on a five-step plan for improving
personal productivity, accomplishments and satisfaction. Friday, Nov.
17, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Building 201, Room 238.
There are still a few openings in "Program Development"
to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 14-15. This
course helps participants expand their sponsor base in a world of
reduced government spending. The class is designed for
program directors and managers, engineers and scientists and
legal, technical support and technology transfer employees.
Those interested in enrolling in any of the classes should contact a Training Management System representative.
Call Betty Iwan at ext. 2-3410 for more information or visit the HR web site.
Rehearsals for the Argonne Choral Group's 20th season have begun, and more singers are needed.
Rehearsals will be held Nov. 7, 9, 13, 16, 28 and 30 in Argonne-East's Building 213 Cafeteria, Dining Room A, from noon to 12:30 p.m.
The group will sing old and new holiday favorites on Dec. 7 at noon in the Building 213 Cafeteria and at 2 p.m. in the lobby of Building 201.
For more information, page Harry Bell (PFS) at ext. 4-1376, or call Pat Garner at ext. 2-4872.
Early registration for Joliet Junior College Spring classes will be offered Monday, Nov. 13, from noon to 4 p.m. at Argonne-East.
College representatives will be available in the Human Resources offices in Building 201 to register students for spring 2001 classes. Employees must bring completed and approved Educational Assistance forms (ANL-89) to register.
Call Betty Iwan at 2-3410 for information.
More than 400 employees attended Health Fair 2000. Employees participated in health risk assessments, facial skin analysis, body fat analysis, and spinal screenings.
They also learned how to reduce indoor pollutants and how to keep their personal prescription drug history on the PCS Health Systems Web site.
Raffle winners included Joyce Leggett (EQO), who won a Mario Tricoci gift certificate and Jean Glover (PHY), who won a "Quick & Easy" cook book.
