Sandia National Laboratories Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

Sandia National Laboratories has 9 executives leading key functions including financial oversight, information technology, cyber security, operational management, and enterprise leadership.

Committed to advancing national security and nuclear deterrence, Sandia National Laboratories delivers critical research and engineering solutions to federal agencies and industrial partners through its multimission laboratory infrastructure.

Leadership Roles at Sandia National Laboratories

  • Chief Financial Officer - Delfinia Salazar
  • Chief Financial Officer, Audit & Liaison - Christopher Senutovitch
  • Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Risk Management Program Lead - Maria Gallardo
  • Deputy Lab Director and Chief Operating Officer - David Gibson
  • President - Beverly Bendicksen
  • Chief Information Officer - John Zepper
  • Cyber Security & Mission Computing Chief of Staff - Deion D'Arco
  • Infrastructure Operations Chief of Staff - Todd Tillman
  • UX Solutions Senior Solutions Architect & Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services - Alan Gross Gross
  • Delfinia Salazar - Chief Financial Officer

    Delfinia Salazar, the Chief Financial Officer at Sandia National Laboratories, directs all fiscal planning and budgetary allocations for the organization. Managing complex funding streams from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Chief Financial Officer ensures rigorous compliance with federal accounting standards. Salazar oversees the allocation of resources across diverse research divisions, balancing the needs of national security projects with long-term institutional sustainability. By implementing advanced financial modeling, the Chief Financial Officer optimizes capital distribution for high-stakes laboratory initiatives. This leadership role requires constant coordination with the Board to maintain fiscal transparency. Delfinia Salazar drives the financial strategy that supports the laboratory's mission-critical research in nuclear deterrence and energy. Through precise oversight of multi-billion dollar budgets, the Chief Financial Officer secures the economic foundation necessary for sustained scientific innovation across all national facilities.
    Delfinia Salazar

    Christopher Senutovitch - Chief Financial Officer, Audit & Liaison

    Christopher Senutovitch, the Chief Financial Officer, Audit & Liaison at Sandia National Laboratories, manages internal audit functions and external regulatory relationships. Overseeing the rigorous examination of financial processes, the Chief Financial Officer, Audit & Liaison ensures full alignment with Department of Energy requirements. Senutovitch coordinates with federal oversight bodies to maintain institutional accountability and transparency. By identifying potential fiscal risks, the Chief Financial Officer, Audit & Liaison strengthens the laboratory's internal control environment. This role involves bridging the gap between complex research operations and strict financial reporting standards. Christopher Senutovitch drives the audit strategy that supports the integrity of the organization's fiscal practices. Through the management of liaison activities, the Chief Financial Officer, Audit & Liaison facilitates productive communication with government stakeholders, ensuring that all financial operations remain consistent with the laboratory's mission of national security and scientific excellence.
    Christopher Senutovitch

    Maria Gallardo - Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Risk Management Program Lead

    Maria Gallardo, the Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Risk Management Program Lead at Sandia National Laboratories, directs the identification and mitigation of institutional risks. Overseeing the enterprise risk management framework, the Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Risk Management Program Lead ensures that financial and operational vulnerabilities are addressed proactively. Gallardo integrates risk assessment into the laboratory's strategic planning, protecting the organization's ability to fulfill its national security mandate. By analyzing potential threats to fiscal and operational stability, the Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Risk Management Program Lead provides the Board with critical insights for decision-making. This role requires a deep understanding of the laboratory's complex research environment and regulatory landscape. Maria Gallardo drives the risk management strategy that safeguards the laboratory's long-term viability. Through the oversight of enterprise-wide risk programs, the Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Risk Management Program Lead maintains the resilience required for sustained scientific and engineering success.

    David Gibson - Deputy Lab Director and Chief Operating Officer

    David Gibson, the Deputy Lab Director and Chief Operating Officer at Sandia National Laboratories, manages the daily operational execution of the laboratory's diverse research portfolio. Overseeing facility management, human capital, and administrative support, the Deputy Lab Director and Chief Operating Officer ensures that all departments function in harmony to meet national security goals. Gibson coordinates the integration of research activities across the Albuquerque and Livermore campuses, optimizing resource utilization for maximum impact. By streamlining operational processes, the Deputy Lab Director and Chief Operating Officer enhances the laboratory's ability to deliver rapid solutions for federal agencies. This leadership role involves balancing immediate operational needs with long-term strategic objectives. David Gibson drives the organizational efficiency that supports the laboratory's mission in nuclear deterrence and energy. Through the oversight of complex operational systems, the Deputy Lab Director and Chief Operating Officer maintains the infrastructure required for world-class scientific discovery.

    Beverly Bendicksen - President

    Beverly Bendicksen, the President at Sandia National Laboratories, provides the overarching strategic vision for the entire laboratory enterprise. Overseeing the alignment of research goals with national security priorities, the President ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of scientific and engineering innovation. Bendicksen manages the relationship with the U.S. Department of Energy and other key federal stakeholders, representing the laboratory's interests at the highest levels. By fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration, the President drives the laboratory's mission in nuclear deterrence, energy, and physical sciences. This leadership role involves setting the long-term direction for the organization and ensuring that all divisions work toward common objectives. Beverly Bendicksen drives the strategic initiatives that define the laboratory's impact on national security. Through the oversight of the entire enterprise, the President maintains the laboratory's status as a premier research institution dedicated to solving the nation's most complex challenges.
    Beverly Bendicksen

    John Zepper - Chief Information Officer

    John Zepper, the Chief Information Officer at Sandia National Laboratories, architects the digital infrastructure supporting advanced research and national security operations. Overseeing the enterprise-wide information technology landscape, the Chief Information Officer ensures the integrity and availability of data across the Albuquerque and Livermore sites. Zepper manages the integration of high-performance computing systems essential for combustion science and hydrogen fusion research. By modernizing network architectures, the Chief Information Officer facilitates seamless collaboration between federal agencies and academic partners. This role involves mitigating digital risks while enabling rapid data processing for complex physical simulations. John Zepper drives the technological roadmap that empowers scientists to solve critical national challenges. Through the deployment of scalable IT solutions, the Chief Information Officer maintains the secure, high-speed connectivity required for the laboratory's diverse portfolio of research and development activities.

    Deion D'Arco - Cyber Security & Mission Computing Chief of Staff

    Deion D'Arco, the Cyber Security & Mission Computing Chief of Staff at Sandia National Laboratories, coordinates the protection of sensitive research data and critical computing assets. Managing the intersection of cyber defense and mission-critical systems, the Chief of Staff ensures that all digital environments remain resilient against evolving threats. D'Arco aligns security protocols with the laboratory's broader national security objectives, facilitating secure collaboration across government and industry sectors. By streamlining operational workflows within the computing division, the Chief of Staff enhances the efficiency of mission-critical projects. This leadership position requires constant vigilance and strategic planning to safeguard intellectual property and infrastructure. Deion D'Arco drives the implementation of robust security frameworks that protect the laboratory's vital contributions to nuclear deterrence. Through the oversight of mission computing initiatives, the Chief of Staff maintains the operational continuity necessary for high-impact scientific research.

    Todd Tillman - Infrastructure Operations Chief of Staff

    Todd Tillman, the Infrastructure Operations Chief of Staff at Sandia National Laboratories, coordinates the maintenance and development of the physical facilities supporting national security research. Managing the operational requirements of the laboratory's extensive campus footprint, the Chief of Staff ensures that all infrastructure meets the rigorous standards of a DOE collaborative research facility. Tillman oversees the planning and execution of facility upgrades, enabling the continued advancement of combustion science and hydrogen fusion research. By aligning infrastructure capabilities with scientific needs, the Chief of Staff facilitates the success of high-priority projects. This role involves managing complex logistics and resource allocation across multiple sites. Todd Tillman drives the operational strategy that keeps the laboratory's physical assets ready for critical missions. Through the oversight of infrastructure operations, the Chief of Staff provides the stable environment necessary for the laboratory's ongoing contributions to national security and energy technology.

    Alan Gross Gross - UX Solutions Senior Solutions Architect & Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services

    Alan Gross Gross, the UX Solutions Senior Solutions Architect & Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services at Sandia National Laboratories, designs user-centric digital interfaces and manages IT service delivery. Overseeing the development of intuitive software solutions, the UX Solutions Senior Solutions Architect & Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services improves the efficiency of researchers accessing critical data. Gross Gross architects the IT service framework that supports the laboratory's diverse scientific and administrative functions. By prioritizing user experience, the UX Solutions Senior Solutions Architect & Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services enhances the productivity of teams working on nuclear deterrence and energy projects. This role involves bridging the gap between complex technical requirements and end-user accessibility. Alan Gross Gross drives the digital transformation that empowers the laboratory's workforce. Through the oversight of IT services and UX design, the UX Solutions Senior Solutions Architect & Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services ensures that technology remains a catalyst for innovation.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Sandia National Laboratories Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Sandia National Laboratories?
    Sandia National Laboratories is led by Delfinia Salazar (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Christopher Senutovitch (Chief Financial Officer, Audit & Liaison) and Maria Gallardo (Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Risk Management Program Lead).
    Who is part of Sandia National Laboratories’s executive team?
    The executive team of Sandia National Laboratories includes leaders such as Delfinia Salazar (Chief Financial Officer), Christopher Senutovitch (Chief Financial Officer, Audit & Liaison), Maria Gallardo (Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Risk Management Program Lead) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Sandia National Laboratories have?
    Sandia National Laboratories has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Sandia National Laboratories’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Sandia National Laboratories includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Audit & Liaison, Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Risk Management Program Lead, Deputy Lab Director and Chief Operating Officer, President.