Darrick A Fender
Sr Project Manager @Oak Ridge National Laboratory
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WORK HISTORY
Sr Project Manager @Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, TN, US
Senior Leader driving strategic operational excellence and mission-critical project execution for a $730M DOE capital initiative at a Category 1 Nuclear Facility supporting national research, isotope production, and defense missions. • Lead full lifecycle management of the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) pressure vessel replacement project, overseeing design, acquisition, construction, commissioning, ensuring strict compliance with DOE regulations (DOE-O-413.3B, DOE-STD-11••••16, DOE-O-420.1C, DOE-O-30••••14) and facility safety standards. • Serve as a core member of the executive leadership team, partnering with the Division Director to shape division-wide strategy, risk management, safety integration, and stakeholder engagement, driving alignment across R&D, operations, engineering, regulatory, and DOE stakeholders. • Champion safety-in-design and risk-informed decision-making, utilizing Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), risk registers, and independent technical reviews to ensure operational integrity and mission readiness. • Spearheaded a peer recognition program that strengthened organizational culture, improved team cohesion, and reinforced accountability aligned with ORNL’s core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Direct the coordination and integration of cross-functional teams to optimize operational performance and deliver on strategic objectives in a complex, high-stakes research environment.• Directed formation of key project teams driving performance and culture development, aligning with ORNL’s core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.
EDUCATION
Excelsior University
BS - Bachelor of Science Nuclear Engineering Technology, Nuclear Engineering
Harvard Business School Online
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
US Navy Leadership Academy
Petty Officer Leadership Continuum, Organizational Leadership
US Navy Quality Assurance
Nuclear Maintenance Quality Assurance Planner
Harvard Business School Online
Certification, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Learning Track
US Navy Quality Assurance
Nuclear Quality Assurance Inspector
US Navy
Caregiver Occupational Stress Control Counselor, Stress Management and Coping Skills
LinkedIn Learning
Certificate, Agile Project Management
Boise State University
MBA - Master of Business Administration, Business Administration and Management
Nuclear Power School - Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC)
Nuclear Power Engineering
Lakeland Community College
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
SKILLS
ABOUT DARRICK A FENDER
ACTIVE DOE Q SECURITY CLEARANCE (TS/SCI)Strategic leader with 20+ years driving operational excellence and transformative results across national labs, defense, and private sectors.From managing a family farm to navigating the high-stakes Naval Nuclear program, I bring relentless problem-solving, disciplined execution, and a proven ability to lead complex teams and projects. Holding an active DOE Q Security Clearance (TS/SCI), I blend technical expertise with business acumen to align operations with strategic goals, deliver high-impact solutions, and foster continuous improvement.Recognized for exceeding expectations, driving organizational change, and leading cross-functional teams to success in fast-paced, mission-critical environments.
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