NNSA security chief Jeff Johnson retires

Jeffrey Johnson, the longest-serving NNSA Associate Administrator and Chief, Defense Nuclear Security, is retiring this month. His federal service includes eight years with NNSA, 20 years on active duty with the Marine Corps and seven years as a civilian manager at Marine headquarters.

In an announcement to NNSA employees, Administrator Jill Hruby said, “In his time with NNSA, Jeff has demonstrated exceptional leadership and outstanding support to NNSA’s security community. He was instrumental in several key initiatives to improve the security of NNSA, such as the development of the counter uncrewed aircraft system that protects NNSA’s high-value assets, and the development of DOE’s Design Basis Threat.”

Johnson said the biggest security challenge he had to manage at NNSA was transforming the Nuclear Security Enterprise from being risk-averse to being risk-informed.

“There isn’t enough money to eliminate every risk and excessive security can impede the operational mission,” he said. “It’s important to strike the right balance. My successor will need to continue the transformation process while addressing sophisticated threats such as uncrewed aircraft systems and insider threats that bypass traditional safeguards and security protections.”

Johnson credited his staff with achieving important accomplishments during his eight years as head of security.

“I am incredibly proud of the men and women of the Office of Defense Nuclear Security who have responded to every security challenge that was thrown at them, solving difficult problems while rebuilding faith and confidence in our ability to lead the security enterprise,” he said. “This included establishing an interim clearance process to provide cleared personnel to meet NNSA’s important mission work, deploying CUAS platforms to protect NNSA’s most sensitive sites, and working closely with the enterprise to implement the design basis threat, just to name a few.”

In retirement Johnson plans to become more involved in the activities of his church.

“I was ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church a couple years ago and I look forward to serving more in the church.” he said. “My wife Jane and I are also looking forward to our first grandchild.”