Tracy Ribeiro reflects on her time at LM and her plans for her future in retirement
June 11, 2024
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LM Environmental, Safety and Health, and Quality Assurance (ESH&Q) Team Supervisor Tracy Ribeiro.
After 16 successful years in the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management, LM Environmental, Safety and Health, and Quality Assurance (ESH&Q) Team Supervisor Tracy Ribeiro has retired.
Ribeiro’s passion and love of the environment inspired her to major in geology at the University of Akron in Ohio. She went on to earn her master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Ribeiro also holds a certificate in government contracting.
After she graduated, Ribeiro began her career doing environmental work for a university and the Virginia Department of Transportation. Afterward, she transitioned to working four years as an environmental consultant before becoming a civilian employee for the U.S. Navy’s nuclear propulsion program for seven years, dealing with contracts, inspections of radioactive and mixed-waste treatments, and disposal activities at nuclear shipyards.
“I moved to Colorado in 2007 for my husband’s job, which is how I found LM.” Ribeiro said. “I’ve always loved science and the outdoors, so this career was a great fit.”
Beginning her career at LM in 2007 as a Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act Title II site manager, Ribeiro was responsible for six sites, including one on the Navajo Nation. Ribeiro’s colleagues quickly noticed her hard work and leadership skills, and she was promoted to LM environmental program manager in 2010. Then in 2021, she was promoted again, this time to ESH&Q team supervisor.
Ribeiro leaves behind a long and successful career. Under her leadership, LM successfully passed multiple audits, won numerous awards, and continually improved its Environmental Management System (EMS). Most recently, Ribeiro received the DOE Sustainability Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 for her accomplishments related to sustainable buildings, water, waste, and acquisition. She also received the 2024 Federal Energy Management Program Lifetime Achievement Award in March.
“Tracy greatly contributed to the mission and will truly be missed. She always looked to make incremental improvements to better our organization. She touched both sides of the house — business and site operations — and left a lasting legacy,” said LM Director of Site Operations Jay Glascock. “Her leadership, work effort, and keen understanding of technical issues were pivotal to helping us protect public health and the environment at our sites.”
Ribeiro said she is proud to have seen the growth of EMS and is grateful for her colleagues’ efforts.
“I’m really proud of my team. Things are constantly moving and evolving within LM, and I think we’ve done an amazing job overall,” Ribeiro said. “I am always impressed by the appreciation and focus that our team has on our mission — protection of human health and the environment. There are lots of people that I will miss as friends, not just coworkers.”
While Ribeiro is sad to leave behind her work and her team, she knows the program that she built is in good hands.
“I’m excited to see what the program improves and changes. I’ve seen so much change and improvement in this program and organization, and I look forward to seeing the progression after I leave,” Ribeiro added. “My team wants to help and be effective and efficient. The future is bright within LM and this program, and I look forward to seeing all the things they accomplish when I’m gone.”
Ribeiro expressed her excitement about her own future and spending time with her family.
“As sticky sweet as it sounds, I’m looking forward to being around my husband day after day. Since we moved to Colorado, we have regularly been away from each other midweek or longer because my work has been in a different town than his work.”
Ribeiro also plans to continue taking time to enjoy the outdoors.
“I play softball recreationally and competitively. I also enjoy hiking, camping, biking, and snowboarding,” Ribeiro said. “Last year I got a stand-up paddleboard, so I’m hoping to make that more of a consistent thing now that I have more free time. I also can’t wait to foster even more dogs through a local dog rescue group.”