NNSA administrator honors former head of Defense Programs

Last month, Brig. Gen. Stephen L. Davis, U.S. Air Force, returned to NNSA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., to receive honors for his contributions from September 2014 to July 2016 as NNSA’s Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Military Application (PADAMA). For his exceptional service and leadership of Defense Programs, Davis was independently honored by the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, and NNSA.

At the  ceremony, Davis was presented with the Defense Superior Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious service for the Armed Forces of the United States.

The Department of Defense award praised Davis’ keen insight at identifying and communicating key program challenges across the Nuclear Security Enterprise, enabling change.

“His superb leadership across the Department of Energy and the Executive Branch has significantly contributed to the long-term health, safety, and security of the Nation’s nuclear deterrent,” Secretary of Defense Ash Carter’s inscription read.

During the ceremony, Davis also received the Energy Secretary’s Exceptional Service Award, honoring Davis’ leadership as PADAMA for NNSA/DOE and as acting deputy administrator for Defense Programs.

“Recognizing the critical role played by a responsive enterprise in securing the stockpile and maintaining an effective nuclear deterrent, General Davis championed initiatives to build upon our superb scientific and technical workforce and infrastructure recapitalization, which are enabling our transition to a modern stockpile without the need for underground testing,” Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz’s award read.

NNSA Administrator Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz (Ret.) presented Davis with the Administrator’s Distinguished Service Gold Award. Davis led Defense Programs’ efforts to maintain the safety, security, and reliability of the Nation’s nuclear deterrent. He also led efforts to improve readiness and responsiveness of the Nuclear Security Enterprise through investments in partnerships, infrastructure, and intellectual capital.