Zach Tudor, who leads Idaho National Laboratory’s national and homeland security research programs, received the Career Achievement in Government Award at the all-digital Black Engineer of the Year (BEYA) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Conference.

As an associate laboratory director at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Tudor directs a staff of more than 800 people. Their work is responsible for nearly $500 million in annual research and development funding including programs focused on industrial cybersecurity, infrastructure resilience, nuclear nonproliferation, and materials science.

A 21-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, he has extensive experience in both the private sector and the federal government. He was recently appointed to chair the board of directors for the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, a nonprofit focused on cybersecurity certification.

“Zach’s expertise and leadership abilities are respected by his colleagues inside and outside the laboratory,” said INL Director John Wagner in a statement. “He is a leading national figure whose advice is frequently sought by Congress, industry, academia, and government leaders from around the world. All of us at INL are grateful to Zach for his leadership and example and congratulate him on this notable achievement.”

During his tenure at the laboratory, Tudor has led efforts to increase inclusive representation in INL’s hiring processes and internship and fellowship programs. Through the Graduate Education for Minorities in Engineering and Science fellowship program, he has provided career mentorship to students who came to the lab from underserved and underprivileged backgrounds, including those from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In the community, he has supported and sponsored important cultural activities through the Idaho Falls African American Alliance, the Idaho Falls Arts Council, and the Museum of Idaho.

“I’m very honored to become a BEYA (Black Engineer of the Year) STEM Conference awardee,” wrote Tudor on LinkedIn. “I’ve been a member of the BEYA community for a very long time, and have benefited from great mentoring and hopefully have provided the same for young engineers.”

INL is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory that performs work in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science, and environment. INL is the nation’s center for nuclear energy research and development. Day-to-day management and operation of the laboratory is the responsibility of Battelle Energy Alliance.