I just received my annual TCP-1 letter from LLNS and a summary of the LLNS Pension Plan. Looked in pretty good shape in 2013. About 35% overfunded (funding target attainment percentage = 134.92%). This was a decrease from 2012 where it was 51% overfunded (funding target attainment percentage = 151.59%). They did note that the 2012 change in the law on how liabilities are calculated using interest rates improved the plan's position. Without the change the funding target attainment percentages would have been 118% (2012) and 105% (2013). 2013 assets = $2,057,866,902 2013 liabilities = $1,525,162,784 vs 2012 assets = $1,844,924,947 2012 liabilities = $1,217,043,150 It was also noted that a slightly different calculation method ("fair market value") designed to show a clearer picture of the plan' status as December 31, 2013 had; Assets = $2,403,098,433 Liabilities = $2,068,984,256 Funding ratio = 116.15% Its a closed plan with 3,781 participants. Of that number, 3,151 wer...
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While the employees deal with capped salaries, both in the previous few years and many years out into the future (thanks, Dr. Chu!), the LANS upper management team lives it up with all sorts of special perks. The extra special perks that Anastasio's little boy, Brett Knapp, gets in this document are truly sickening.
The NNSA and LANS should be ashamed of themselves, but they don't do shame, do they?
Brett Knapp will likely take over Charlie McMillan's PAD position in the Weapons Directorate once McMillian gets "crowned" by the LANS Board as the next LANL Director.
January 21, 2011 8:18 PM
I was sickened the first time I had to deal with Mcmillan in early 2007 at LANL. His willingness to ignore established rules, favor his LLNL cronies over LANL interests, and above all, to establish his dominance over all of his new LANL colleagues, was indeed sickening. One of the primary reasons I retired from LANL some months later. I couldn't stand the idea of being under his "rule" for any longer. He is the very definition of "self-absorbed."
Bret Knapp split ESA-Division into W-Division and WT-Division. Knapp's detailed explanation was that ESA-Division was "too large". He then merged W-Division and WT-Division into the old LANL WX-Division and named it W-Division. Knapp's detailed explanation was "to get these two Divisions to cooperate with each together".
Anastasio then gave Knapp X-Division which Knapp rapidly split into XTA-Division and XCP-Divisions. Knapp's detailed explanation was that X-Division "was too large". I understand that Knapp has plans to merge these two Divisions and call it X-Division. Knapp's detailed explanation for this merger was to "get these two Divisions to cooperate with each together".
I am unaware of anything else that Knapp has accomplished in the U.S. nuclear weapon program during the past 5-years other than merge, split, and merge Divisions.
Knapp learned his management toolkit from Clough. Hurt people and they will fear you.
He is perhaps the best example of the labs not attracting, developing or retaining the best and the brightest. 2nd rate credentials, poorly formed.
Compare Knapp to Mara. Much is lost between these two generations.
But then consider the long parade of DOE stumblebums compared to early AEC leaders. There is the farce.
X was split into XTD and XCP Divisions.
January 22, 2011 9:46 AM
Bingo. Knapp would never hire anyone who can top his 2nd (actually 3rd) rate credentials. Furthermore, I can think of several individuals who Knapp destroyed because they would challenge his rudimentary knowledge of weapons. To compare Knapp to Bob Clough is a "joke".
What makes this kid so valuable to LANS? His credentials are completely under-whelming (Masters from Cal State).
What is it that they see in this guy? If you are going to pick somebody to groom for future leadership positions, why in the world would anyone pick this guy? It makes no sense.
January 23, 2011 9:32 PM
If you are depending on someone below you to do things that will make you lots of money, loyalty is everything. Competency is secondary. Employee happiness is tertiary.