One of the top two leaders at the Hanford site who recently announced their departures now has a temporary replacement 

Brian Harkins was appointed as acting deputy manager for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hanford Field Office effective April 3 by outgoing Manager Brian Vance, according to a memo sent to site staff.  

Harkins replaces Brian Stickney, who announced in mid-March that he would retire Dec. 31, 2025. However, he left the site on March 26 as he is participating in the federal Delayed Resignation Program, according to DOE. That program was instituted as part of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts to cut the federal workforce. 

Vance will also be departing the site at the end of April. Neither an acting nor permanent replacement for his role has been announced. 

Harkins has been at the site for more than 20 years, according to the memo. He has been the assistant manager for mission support since 2022, managing and delivering infrastructure and services to the site and its contractors, in everything from IT and security to utilities and emergency services. 

Harkins also has served as deputy assistant manager for tank farms, Office of River Protection acquisition program manager, and deputy assistant manager for technical and regulatory support. He was named DOE Facility representative of the Year in 2002. 

Vance called Harkins “a proven leader” whose resume includes extensive experience in safety and health programs, quality assurance, nuclear safety, environmental permitting, and tank farms operations. 

With Harkins moving into his new role, Vanessa Turner, who served as Harkins' deputy in his former role, will now serve as acting assistant manager for mission support.