AIKEN, S.C. – Savannah River National Laboratory awarded Bruce J. Wiersma the 2025 Donald A. Orth Lifetime Award of Merit at a laboratory director’s award ceremony held October 28 at Newberry Hall in downtown Aiken. The Orth award recognizes technical excellence and leadership and is SRNL’s highest individual honor presented to an employee, who by character and leadership, best exemplifies. Orth’s character and contributions.
Wiersma, who applies his knowledge of corrosion to provide solutions to extend the life of aging infrastructure at SRS and other DOE sites, has spent his entire career at SRNL — 30 years at different levels of engineering and five managing the corrosion and materials performance team, according to a news release.
“As I have reflected on receiving the award, I am very grateful. I have recalled the number of people who were instrumental in my career and presented me with opportunities to grow both professionally and personally,” said Wiersma. “I had the opportunity to be taught by the first generation of SRS workers, be a part of the second generation that has carried forth that legacy and see the arrival of the third generation that will take SRNL forward into the future.”
SRNL also recognized other high performing employees in other categories. Those awards and their recipients include:
Director’s Award for Exceptional Scientific and Engineering Achievement
Utpal Roy, Environmental and Legacy Management
Joseph Mannion, Global Security Directorate
Ryan Shaw, Weapons Production Technology
Jake Amoroso, Environmental and Legacy Management
Director’s Award for Safety, Security, & Operational Excellence
Scott Brown, Environmental and Legacy Management
Bradley Davidson, Operations
Gerald Taylor, Radiological Protection, Safety and Health
Director’s Core Values Award: Innovation
Thomas Danielson, Environmental and Legacy Management
Drew Snelling, Weapons Production Technology
Greg Staack, Weapons Production Technology
Director’s Core Values Award: Teamwork
Cell 9 Team
Chris Crawford, Alex Atkins, Gerald Taylor, Mike Potchebski, David DiPrete, Rana O’Bryant, Nathan Boyle and John Pareizs
MAR Team
Wayne Benson, Troy Barlow, Eugenia Robbins, Travis Deason, Mackenzie Williams, Emily Trudell, Brandon Jackson, and Destinie Brown
Chiller Team
Justin Martin, Sherolyn Bishop, Randal McJunkin, Dalton Hare, Ian Conant, Arelis Rivera-Giboyeaux, Tim Forehand, and Kerry Layton
Casting Team
Brian McElwain, Travis Sampson, Dan Mojica, Greg Henderson, Kevin Barta, Zac Grimes, Grayson Hammett, and Craig Hannan
Director’s Award for Program & Project Leadership
Alfred Banks, Computing Operations
Wendy Kuhne, Global Security Directorate
Jacob Reagin, Global Security Directorate
Will Jolin, Environmental and Legacy Management
Brenda Garcia-Diaz, Weapons Production Technology
Director’s Award for Early Career Exceptional Achievement
Nathan Boyle, Environmental and Legacy Management
Colton Bond, Global Security Directorate
Christopher Koch, Weapons Production Technology
Henry Bonilla, Environmental and Legacy Management
Vivian Turner, Global Security Directorate
Caleb Koons, Computing Operations
Camille Kudrna, Weapons Production Technology
Director’s Core Values Award: Integrity
Tyler Chavous, Environmental and Legacy Management
James Davis, Global Security Directorate
Director’s Core Values Award: Service
Victoria Meyer, Weapons Production Technology
Robert Lascola, Environmental and Legacy Management
Mike Brisson, Global Security Directorate
Megan Holley, Safeguards and Security
Director’s Award for Mentoring
Sun Jae Kim, Engineering
Chad Sweeney, Weapons Production Technology
Louis McNamara, Global Security Directorate
John Pareizs, Environmental and Legacy Management
Director’s Award for Change Champion
Patricia Smith, Environmental and Legacy Management
Director’s Award for Workforce Development
Karlie Burnette, Weapons Production Technology
Director’s Award for Community Service
Holly VerMeulen, Environmental and Legacy Management
Mike Restivo, Environmental and Legacy Management
Ragina Dicks, Weapons Production Technology
Ellen Hart, Employee Health, Safety and Quality
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