ORNL names Jim Serafin director of facilities and operations

The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has named James "Jim" E. Serafin Jr. as director of the Facilities and Operations Directorate. Serafin will lead the directorate as it provides the infrastructure, services, protection and modernization needed to support ORNL's research mission across its growing campus.

The Facilities and Operations Directorate plays a central role in supporting ORNL's research enterprise by providing safe, reliable and responsive operations across the laboratory's complex and growing campus.

Most recently, Serafin served as director of ORNL's Facilities Management Division, where he led operations and maintenance for approximately 185 facilities, a staff of 320 and a budget of more than $80 million. In that role, he directed efforts supporting the safe and reliable operation of laboratory infrastructure.

"Jim is a proven operational leader whose deep understanding of ORNL's mission and commitment to safe, reliable and forward-looking operations have strengthened this laboratory for many years," said ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer. "I am confident that, under his leadership, the Facilities and Operations Directorate will continue to make advancements that sustain ORNL as a world-class research facility."

Previously, Serafin led the Laboratory Modernization Division, overseeing facilities strategic planning, capital project delivery and space planning and management for ORNL's portfolio of more than 4.3 million square feet.

Across these roles, Serafin advanced major modernization and facility renewal efforts, strengthened operational and safety performance and worked with research and operations leaders, business services and DOE to align infrastructure investments with ORNL's strategic priorities.

Serafin's career at ORNL has included leadership roles in facilities strategic planning, modernization project delivery and computing facilities program management. He is also an Oppenheimer Science and Energy Leadership fellow.

Serafin earned a master of business administration from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor's degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Tennessee and a certified Project Management Professional.

"I'm honored to take on this role and to work with the talented professionals who help ensure ORNL operates safely, efficiently and in support of its mission," Serafin said. "Facilities and Operations plays a vital role in enabling the laboratory's research enterprise by providing the infrastructure, services and operational excellence that support scientific discovery. I look forward to working with our teams to build on existing strengths and advance the laboratory's priorities."

UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the Department of Energy's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science