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Chris Beatty sees ORNL’s research and development of the next generation of a carbon-free energy supply as inspiring as the space exploration he supported in previous positions. Beatty was selected in March as the Chief Operating Officer of ORNL’s Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate.

“With fusion and fission now integrated as one in our directorate, we have that same opportunity before us here at ORNL. We can be the nation’s next inspiration with our vision for carbon-free energy technology,” said Beatty.

Throughout his career, Beatty has been drawn to daring projects that promise to advance society. Before joining ORNL, he held engineering positions that supported NASA, space and missile programs of the Defense Department, and SpaceX launches. At the Kwajalein Missile Test Range, he did the trajectory analysis for the first successful SpaceX rocket launch, the Falcon 1.

“I first came to ORNL to work on the ITER fusion project. The opportunity to be a part of an international collaboration to harness the same energy source that powers the sun and the stars was stirring. I wanted to be a part of it,” Beatty said.

In his new position as COO of the directorate that combines fusion, fission, and the US ITER office into one organization, he sees even greater potential.  

The synergy of having fusion and fission as a cohesive team is key, Beatty said. “Fusion is the future, and fission is the technology we are advancing right now. There is a lot for each to share with the other.”

The diversity of Beatty’s past experience is an asset in his new position as COO for fusion and fission, a role that seeks to provide leadership in maintaining excellence in research operations, to ensure that directorate facilities meet mission needs, and to support directorate leadership in strategy and planning needs. He recently participated in the laboratory’s Senior Mission Support Rotational Development Program.

“His NASA experience, ITER design experience, plant operations experience, and strategic planning experience are all the kinds of things we need in order to take on what we are currently doing while building for the future,” said fusion engineer David Rasmussen, who worked with Beatty on the ITER project. “The diverse portfolio of experiences and projects he has worked on is not a common mixture and is exactly what we need in a COO.”

Outside of work, mentoring youth has long been another of Beatty’s passions. 

“The next great scientist who needs to help the nation reach a goal could be sitting in a kindergarten class today,” said Beatty, who is president of the local chapter of 100 Black Men, which pairs adult mentors with students, with an emphasis on teens from single-parent homes.

Beatty credits mentors with inspiring him to further his education, in which he earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Georgia Tech and a master’s, also in physics, from Clark Atlanta University.

~ Amy Reed