Brookhaven National Laboratory Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Brookhaven National Laboratory has 10 executives leading key functions including strategic operations, financial management, information technology, and facility administration.

Committed to advancing discovery science and transformative technology, Brookhaven National Laboratory secures the nation's future through multidisciplinary research and pioneering scientific innovation.

Leadership Roles at Brookhaven National Laboratory

  • Quality Directorate Manager, Business Services & Chief Financial Officer, Reporting To The - Joseph Labas
  • Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Discovery Technologies Directorate - Kristen Rubino
  • Directorate Chief Operating Officer - Michael Cowell
  • Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Discovery Technologies Directorate - Shresht Joshi
  • Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Facilities & Operations - Michelle McQueen
  • Chief of Staff - Aaron Stein
  • Chief of Staff & Director, S Office - Andrea Reed
  • Division Chief Information Officer, Information Technology - David Salbego
  • Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Division - Thomas Schlagel
  • Administration, Physics Department - Paul Orfin
  • Joseph Labas - Quality Directorate Manager, Business Services & Chief Financial Officer, Reporting To The

    Joseph Labas, the Quality Directorate Manager, Business Services & Chief Financial Officer, Reporting To The at Brookhaven National Laboratory, oversees the financial health and quality assurance frameworks of the institution. Labas manages complex budgetary allocations and ensures fiscal compliance with federal standards. By directing the financial strategy, the Quality Directorate Manager, Business Services & Chief Financial Officer, Reporting To The supports the laboratory's ability to pursue high-impact research. Joseph Labas implements rigorous quality control measures across business services to optimize operational performance. This role involves constant interaction with the Board and senior leadership to provide accurate financial forecasting and risk assessment. Labas drives efficiency in resource distribution, ensuring that every dollar contributes to the advancement of discovery science. Through meticulous financial oversight, the Quality Directorate Manager, Business Services & Chief Financial Officer, Reporting To The secures the long-term sustainability of the laboratory's diverse scientific programs.

    Kristen Rubino - Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Discovery Technologies Directorate

    Kristen Rubino, the Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Discovery Technologies Directorate at Brookhaven National Laboratory, manages the operational execution of advanced technology development. Rubino oversees the daily activities of the Discovery Technologies Directorate, ensuring that research teams possess the necessary tools and environment for innovation. By streamlining internal processes, the Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Discovery Technologies Directorate enhances the speed of scientific output. Kristen Rubino coordinates with other directorates to align technological advancements with the laboratory's broader mission. This leadership role involves managing complex operational budgets and resource allocation to support high-priority projects. Rubino drives the implementation of best practices in laboratory management, fostering an environment conducive to R&D excellence. Through the oversight of technical operations, the Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Discovery Technologies Directorate ensures that the laboratory remains at the forefront of transformative technology and discovery science.

    Michael Cowell - Directorate Chief Operating Officer

    Michael Cowell, the Directorate Chief Operating Officer at Brookhaven National Laboratory, directs the operational strategy for key research divisions. Cowell manages the integration of administrative and scientific functions to ensure maximum productivity. By overseeing the daily operations of the directorate, the Directorate Chief Operating Officer maintains the flow of resources required for complex experiments. Michael Cowell facilitates communication between research staff and executive leadership to resolve operational bottlenecks. This role involves implementing standardized procedures that improve efficiency across the laboratory's diverse research portfolio. Cowell drives the development of operational plans that support the laboratory's long-term scientific objectives. Through the management of personnel and infrastructure, the Directorate Chief Operating Officer ensures that the laboratory continues to deliver high-impact results. Cowell consistently optimizes operational workflows to support the mission of discovery science and transformative technology development.

    Shresht Joshi - Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Discovery Technologies Directorate

    Shresht Joshi, the Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Discovery Technologies Directorate at Brookhaven National Laboratory, manages the strategic deployment of resources within the technology division. Joshi oversees the operational lifecycle of research projects, ensuring that teams meet critical milestones. By directing the administrative functions of the Discovery Technologies Directorate, the Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Discovery Technologies Directorate supports the laboratory's commitment to innovation. Shresht Joshi coordinates with technical leads to align operational capacity with the demands of groundbreaking research. This role involves managing complex logistics and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Joshi drives the optimization of internal workflows to increase the efficiency of technology development. Through the oversight of operational activities, the Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Discovery Technologies Directorate ensures that the laboratory maintains its competitive edge in discovery science and transformative technology.

    Michelle McQueen - Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Facilities & Operations

    Michelle McQueen, the Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Facilities & Operations at Brookhaven National Laboratory, manages the physical infrastructure and site services required for large-scale research. McQueen oversees the maintenance and development of laboratory facilities, ensuring that all buildings and equipment meet the needs of the scientific community. By directing the Facilities & Operations directorate, the Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Facilities & Operations maintains a safe and efficient environment for discovery science. Michelle McQueen coordinates with other directorates to plan for future infrastructure requirements. This role involves managing complex facility budgets and overseeing large-scale construction projects. McQueen drives the implementation of sustainable practices across the laboratory's campus. Through the oversight of site operations, the Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Facilities & Operations ensures that the laboratory remains a world-class facility for transformative technology and pioneering research.
    Michelle McQueen

    Aaron Stein - Chief of Staff

    Aaron Stein, the Chief of Staff at Brookhaven National Laboratory, coordinates high-level administrative workflows across the research enterprise. Stein aligns departmental objectives with the broader mission of delivering discovery science. By managing internal communications and executive priorities, the Chief of Staff ensures seamless integration between scientific directorates and administrative support units. This role involves facilitating complex decision-making processes that impact long-term laboratory goals. Aaron Stein maintains rigorous oversight of organizational health, ensuring that resources support the U.S. Department of Energy's objectives. Through constant engagement with senior leadership, the Chief of Staff optimizes operational efficiency and fosters a culture of excellence. Stein drives the execution of strategic initiatives that maintain the laboratory's status as a premier research institution. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff secures the operational stability required for groundbreaking scientific achievements.

    Andrea Reed - Chief of Staff & Director, S Office

    Andrea Reed, the Chief of Staff & Director, S Office at Brookhaven National Laboratory, manages the administrative infrastructure supporting the Office of Science initiatives. Reed directs the flow of information and strategic planning within the S Office to ensure alignment with national research priorities. By overseeing complex project portfolios, the Chief of Staff & Director, S Office maintains the integrity of scientific operations. Andrea Reed facilitates collaboration between internal research teams and external stakeholders to advance transformative technology. This leadership position requires precise management of administrative resources and policy implementation. Reed monitors the progress of key scientific milestones, ensuring that the laboratory meets its performance targets. Through the coordination of cross-functional teams, the Chief of Staff & Director, S Office enhances the overall impact of the laboratory's research output. Reed consistently drives operational improvements that support the mission of discovery science.

    David Salbego - Division Chief Information Officer, Information Technology

    David Salbego, the Division Chief Information Officer, Information Technology at Brookhaven National Laboratory, architects the digital infrastructure necessary for large-scale scientific computation. Salbego manages the deployment of advanced networking and data storage solutions that support the laboratory's multidisciplinary research. By overseeing the IT division, the Division Chief Information Officer, Information Technology ensures that researchers have access to secure and high-performance computing environments. David Salbego drives the modernization of digital systems to keep pace with evolving technological demands. This role involves coordinating with other C-suite leaders to align IT capabilities with the laboratory's strategic research goals. Salbego maintains the integrity of critical data systems, protecting the intellectual property generated by seven decades of pioneering research. Through the implementation of scalable IT frameworks, the Division Chief Information Officer, Information Technology enables the laboratory to process complex datasets and accelerate scientific discovery.

    Thomas Schlagel - Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Division

    Thomas Schlagel, the Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Division at Brookhaven National Laboratory, leads the enterprise-wide digital strategy. Schlagel manages the laboratory's cybersecurity posture and the maintenance of critical information systems. By overseeing the IT division, the Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Division ensures that all research data remains secure and accessible. Thomas Schlagel drives the adoption of new technologies that enhance the laboratory's computational capabilities. This role involves collaborating with the Board to align IT investments with the laboratory's long-term scientific goals. Schlagel maintains the integrity of the digital infrastructure, supporting the work of researchers across all disciplines. Through the implementation of robust IT policies, the Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Division enables the laboratory to conduct complex simulations and data analysis. Schlagel consistently optimizes the digital environment to support the mission of discovery science.
    Thomas Schlagel

    Paul Orfin - Administration, Physics Department

    Paul Orfin, the Administration, Physics Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory, manages the administrative and operational support for the physics research division. Orfin oversees the allocation of departmental resources and ensures that research teams have the necessary support to conduct experiments. By directing the administrative functions of the Physics Department, the Administration, Physics Department facilitates the progress of high-energy physics research. Paul Orfin coordinates with other departments to ensure that the physics division aligns with the laboratory's broader scientific mission. This role involves managing complex project budgets and ensuring compliance with institutional policies. Orfin drives the optimization of administrative processes to support the needs of the physics faculty. Through the oversight of departmental operations, the Administration, Physics Department ensures that the laboratory continues to produce Nobel Prize-winning discoveries and advance the frontiers of physics.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Brookhaven National Laboratory Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Brookhaven National Laboratory?
    Brookhaven National Laboratory is led by Joseph Labas (Quality Directorate Manager, Business Services & Chief Financial Officer, Reporting To The), along with executives such as Kristen Rubino (Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Discovery Technologies Directorate) and Michael Cowell (Directorate Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Brookhaven National Laboratory’s executive team?
    The executive team of Brookhaven National Laboratory includes leaders such as Joseph Labas (Quality Directorate Manager, Business Services & Chief Financial Officer, Reporting To The), Kristen Rubino (Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Discovery Technologies Directorate), Michael Cowell (Directorate Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Brookhaven National Laboratory have?
    Brookhaven National Laboratory has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Brookhaven National Laboratory’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Brookhaven National Laboratory includes roles such as Quality Directorate Manager, Business Services & Chief Financial Officer, Reporting To The, Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Discovery Technologies Directorate, Directorate Chief Operating Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Discovery Technologies Directorate, Chief Operating Officer, Directorate, Facilities & Operations.