People: Anthony Spadafora Selected as Director Chu’s Chief of Staff
Tony Spadafora has been chosen as Chief of Staff to Lab Director Steve Chu, starting July 1. Spadafora most recently served as the project coordinator of the Supernova Cosmology Project in the Physics Division. He replaces Diana Attia, who was serving as acting Chief of Staff. A profile on Spadafora will be featured in Friday’s TABL.
People: San Francisco Chronicle Profile of EETD’s Greenberg
Steve Greenberg isn't saying he is the greenest person in Berkeley. He isn't even saying he is the greenest person in the vicinity of Ordway Street, where he has counted 28 photovoltaic-powered homes. Can we at least call him the greenest man with Green in his name living along the Ohlone Greenway? Greenberg is an energy management engineer with the Lab’s Environmental Energy Technologies Division. Full story>
In the News: Chu in Economist Article on "Growing Your Own Energy"
Buried in the news a few weeks ago was an announcement by a small Californian firm called Amyris (founded by the Lab’s Jay Keasling), and its pending partnership with a Brazilian firm to make car fuel out of cane sugar. Aided by this kind of synthetic biology breakthrough, Lab Director Steve Chu envisions a “glucose economy” that will replace the existing oil economy. Full story>
IT Update: Work on Telephone System Tomorrow Evening
The IT Division will be upgrading the telephone switch software tomorrow evening. There will be a loss of dial tone for up to 3 minutes between the hours of 9 and 10 p.m. A Lab-wide public address will announce the exact time dial tone will be interrupted and restored. If an emergency occurs when no dial tone is available, activate the nearest building fire alarm and wait for emergency personnel to respond. Call x4777 for more information.
Human Resources: Work Deferment Policy is Proposed; Comments Invited
Berkeley Lab is proposing a Work Deferment policy. In circumstances when funding is limited for a temporary period of time, this new policy would provide an alternative strategy to permanent layoffs. The policy allows for temporary work deferment or temporary reduction in hours as an option. Such arrangements can retain the valuable skills of existing employees while responding to short-term critical budget or work shortage issues. The Lab is also proposing clarification changes to the Severance policy. Send comments to [email protected] by August 7. These policies apply to non-represented employees only. Represented employees should contact their union representative or consult their collective bargaining agreement.
Free Excess Pick-Up: Request Deadline is July 3; No Hazardous Waste Accepted
Requests for the free pick-up of excess items will continue through Thursday, July 3. The pick-up does not include hazardous waste. Contact your Division Safety Liaison for the removal of hazardous waste.