Keith Thomsen

About Keith Thomsen

Visionary engineer and executive leader with extensive expertise in complex environmental systems, water resources, and engineering management. Renowned for delivering transformative outcomes across complex, multidisciplinary programs and for guiding multimillion dollar resource-intensive projects under the most rigorous federal, state, and international regulatory frameworks (DoD, DOE, NASA, and beyond).As a strategic architect of environmental resilience, I specialize in converting complex legacy waste management challenges at the nexus of hydrologic science, risk, and sustainability, into actionable, enduring solutions. My career spans executive leadership roles within DOE, NASA, and national laboratories, where I have directed high-performing teams, secured multimillion-dollar research funding, and advanced the science of long-term stewardship and adaptive infrastructure.Passionate about bridging basic and applied research and development to achieve lasting strategic impact, I thrive in initiatives where science, innovation, and leadership converge to shape the future of environmental resilience. Adept at optimizing distributed operations, guiding facility expansions and modernization, and cultivating resilient, mission-driven teams. Proven success in forging cross-sector partnerships that unite industry, academia, and government.With deep knowledge of applying ASME NQA-1 lessons to a broad array of complex challenges with a longstanding commitment to stewardship, operational excellence, and innovation, I am dedicated to advancing sustainable solutions to a broad array of complex infrastructure and environmental systems challenges that will endure for generations. • Executive oversight of complex, interdisciplinary environmental programs • Scalable leadership of multi-location organizations and distributed teams • Capital project delivery: facility expansions, renovations, and modernization • Strategic planning, budgeting, and resource optimization • Personnel, schedule, and facility management in high-regulatory settings • Stakeholder engagement: regulatory agencies, clients, and communities • Environmental permitting, regulatory documentation, and compliance review • Technical leadership in solid, hazardous, and radiological waste programs

Experience

1. Principal Environmental Chemical Engineer

   Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure (H2C)

   May 2024 — Present · Richland, WA, US

   Provide technical and programmatic direction to develop and mature innovative technology solutions required to safely remediate and close the tank farm and other Hanford site mission challenges. Evaluate, devise, execute and implement technologies that have the potential to improve the effectiveness of and mitigate risks to the overall mission. Program and project assignments are across multiple aspects of the tank waste mission including waste retrieval, sampling & analysis, pretreatment, vitrification, grout stabilization, secondary waste treatment and may range from laboratory bench scale to engineering/field scale demonstrations. Routinely manage and interact with outside research groups, including national laboratories, universities, research institutes, and other technology providers multi-disciplinary cross-functional applied research and development teams to ensure technology maturation, conduct technology development activities, analyze and interpret results of testing, and manage product deliverables from technology provider laboratories. Advise DOE and H2C senior management on strategies for effectively managing waste at Hanford. Coordinate technical and programmatic aspects with multiple internal and external organizations including DOE/ORP, DNFSB, Washington State Department of Ecology, etc. In addition, manage work packages and provide technical and programmatic solutions that enhance the efficiency of the mission and manage technology development programs using EVMS principles to ensure timely delivery of products and value for money. As required, support technical issue resolution with external regulatory and stakeholder organizations and provide technical input to engineering evaluation studies that support mission objectives and mentor other engineers and technical staff to enhance the technical capabilities of the organization as a subject matter expert.

Education

• Oregon State University

  BS, General Engineering

  1976 — 1982

• California State University, Fresno

  MBA, Business Administration and Finance

  1988 — 1989

• Tigard High School

  College/University Preparatory and Advanced High School/Secondary Diploma Program

  1972 — 1976

• UCLA

  Doctor of Environmental Science and Engineering

  1998 — 2010