Colin Morgan

April 16, 2025

What do you like about your job and/or about working at the Lab?

I enjoy having a direct effect on the safety and security of our Lab, its employees, and national security. I am also blown away by the myriad of avenues for growth and self-improvement that LLNL has to offer.

What do your day-to-day work activities include?

I spend my days doing a mixture of tasks revolving around the security, safety, and material condition of PLS buildings and spaces.

What is one project you’re really proud to have worked on?

I spent 4 years as the Foreign Visits and Assignments Office (FVAO) supervisor. While in that role, I had the opportunity to begin the implementation of a new DOE Foreign National Access Program order. This allowed me to rewrite policy and procedure and administer these changes with a phased, methodical approach. I particularly enjoyed organizing the roll-out of security policy and working with stakeholders, while limiting impact on the Lab population and their important work.

What is your educational/career background?

I have a diverse background that started out as a supervisor for Sodexho in Maine. I then managed five Famous Footwear stores, followed by three Advance Auto Parts stores. I am not a fan of retail sales, so I joined the U.S. Coast Guard. For the next 13 years I wore many hats including Federal Law Enforcement Officer, Use of Force Tactics Instructor, Tactical Vessel Operator/Instructor, Search and Rescue Operator, Navigation and Operations Officers, and Executive Officer. I was medically retired as a Chief Boatswain's Mate with an honorable discharge in 2020.

I then joined LLNL and began my second career in the FVAO within the Security Organization.

What inspired you to go into science/your field of work?

I have always enjoyed helping people and feeling like I'm part of something bigger than myself. The Lab gives me the same feeling that the U.S. Coast Guard did. Keeping our nation safe while helping those in my community at the same time. It's a win-win!

What advice would you give to a new employee at the Lab?

Explore the Lab! Grab an experienced peer and have them give you a tour. This place is massive and ridiculously interesting. Oh, and check out the Second-Time-Around-Store, too.

What are your hobbies/what do you do in your free time?

I absolutely love being with my family. I am also an avid guitarist and generally always have one in my hands or nearby.

How many years have you worked at the Lab?

4.5

Where are you from?

Oakland, Maine

Do you support disciplines or programs outside PLS?

Operations and Business