Business
Business
Sean Plasynski — Acting Laboratory Director
Sean I. Plasynski, Ph.D., leads the complete NETL complex, including two major components: (1) world-class research and development (R&D) concentrated on energy technologies with a focus on hydrocarbons and geothermal energy and (2) development and implementation of a broad spectrum of national energy programs for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) offices of Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy (formerly the Office of Fossil Energy); Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation; Electricity; and Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response. Plasynski leads NETL's workforce of more than 1,500 people, located at three sites across the nation and an additional field office, who are responsible for R&D projects that span the United States. As acting laboratory director, Plasynski fosters strategic relationships with academic institutions, state and local governments and important energy industry stakeholders. Since joining NETL in 1992, Plasynski has held numerous management and technical positions, including principal deputy director, deputy director and chief technology officer, chief operating officer, director of the Strategic Center of Coal and sequestration technology manager. He holds bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh's Katz Graduate School of Business.
Angelos Kokkinos — Acting Principal Deputy Director
As acting principal deputy director of NETL, Angelos Kokkinos is responsible for assisting the NETL director in executing the Lab’s mission by leading the effective management of the human resources capabilities and talent at NETL. Kokkinos has over four decades of experience in the energy industry, working to improve fossil fuel, biomass, refuse, and concentrated solar technologies. Previously, Kokkinos served as the director of the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), directing a significant portfolio of federal investments that address critical vulnerabilities across U.S. energy supply chains and manufacturing. In 2021, he retired from DOE as the associate deputy assistant secretary for Carbon Management and Advanced Fossil Technologies in the Office of Fossil Energy, where he planned and managed the portfolio for critical minerals, carbon capture and sequestration, extreme thermal environment materials, combustion turbines, gasification, hydrogen and carbon products. Before joining DOE, Kokkinos was chief technology officer for Babcock Power, Inc. Kokkinos holds six U.S. patents. In 2019, Kokkinos received the Penn State Distinguished Achievement Award in Fuel Science and Energy Engineering. He received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and a master’s degree in fuel science from Pennsylvania State University.
Bryan Morreale — Associate Laboratory Director for Research and Innovation
As associate laboratory director for NETL's Research and Innovation Center (RIC), Bryan Morreale, Ph.D., oversees NETL's internal research portfolio valued at over $100 million annually, encompassing over 500 multidisciplinary research staff across the Laboratory's three research locations. Morreale is responsible for guiding RIC in the development and delivery of an impactful research portfolio aimed at transforming the energy sector while nurturing mission-critical capabilities for ready deployment.
In over 25 years of service to NETL, Morreale has been actively involved in gas separations and membrane-reactor research with more than 100 publications. He has also played a pivotal role in leading strategic technical and organizational initiatives and has held several senior leadership positions within NETL. Morreale earned his doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
Heather Quedenfeld — Chief Operating Officer
As chief operating officer for NETL, Heather Quedenfeld provides strategic direction, leadership and management of NETL's support functions and services, including facilities; environmental, safety and health; emergency response; security; cybersecurity and information technology infrastructure; business assessments, audits, directives and processes; and career management and education programs. Since beginning federal service in 1991, Quedenfeld has worked in all the Lab's technology program-related areas. She served as deputy director for NETL's Technology Development Center, acting chief of staff for the Laboratory director and acting lead for the Office of Science and Technology Career Management. She holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University, a master's in industrial engineering from West Virginia University, and is pursuing an MBA from Penn State University.
James E. Wilson — Chief Financial Officer
As chief financial officer (CFO) for NETL, Jim Wilson is responsible for planning, direction and coordination of the Laboratory's CFO, procurement and financial assistance functions; he provides effective oversight and stewardship of the Laboratory's financial resources. Wilson has more than 30 years of management and finance experience in the energy industry, including serving as president of Wholesale and Retail Energy Trading Businesses within PJM Interconnection, corporate controller for a public electric utility, and working as a management consultant in the energy industry and as an auditor with a Big Four accounting firm. Wilson holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Saint Vincent College and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.
Mark Ackiewicz — Technology Development Center Executive Director
As executive director of NETL's Technology Development Center, Mark Ackiewicz is responsible for managing, planning and implementing national-level programs for several DOE elements. These programs involve various DOE national laboratories, universities and industrial partners. Previously, Ackiewicz served as a deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Fossil Energy (now the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office). In this role, he set strategic direction and led a team that administered associated programs, including technology research, development and demonstration; analysis; domestic and international engagement; and intergovernmental collaboration. Prior to joining DOE, Ackiewicz worked in various industry roles where he was responsible for process development, new product scale-up and commercialization, and strategic planning and analysis. Ackiewicz holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a master's in engineering management from George Washington University.
Susan Malie — Chief Counsel
As chief counsel for NETL, Susan Malie is responsible for the management and oversight of the complete NETL legal and NEPA portfolio. An accomplished legal executive, she leads the Office of Chief Counsel and administers expert legal guidance for all activities related to execution of the Laboratory's mission, including multiple R&D programs and projects, science and technical research, as well as business, strategic, financial and operational functions. With experience in both government and private practice, Malie has over three decades of experience as senior inhouse corporate counsel managing full-service legal organizations engaged in a broad spectrum of legal practice. Malie holds a bachelor's degree from Duquesne University and a Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law.
